A staggering 99% of Nigeriaâs wealthiest individuals either evade or avoid paying taxes, leaving millions of citizens struggling to meet basic needs.
This is highlighted in two in-depth reports, “Income and Wealth Inequality in Nigeria: Trends and Drivers” and “Taxing the Rich: Fair Tax Monitor,” compiled by Oxfam in Nigeria, the Tax Justice Network Africa, and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).
The reports delve into the root causes of inequality in Nigeria, particularly examining income, wealth, gender, and regional disparities.
Their conclusions are drawn from statistical data, expert analysis, and insights from key policy stakeholders.
Although Nigeria is the fourth-largest economy in Africa, the gains from its economic growth have mainly favoured a small group of elites, while millions of Nigerians remain in poverty.
According to the report, data from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and John Bean Technologies Corporation (JBT) shows that only 40 of the wealthiest Nigerians are compliant with tax regulations.
This reflects a compliance rate of just 0.035%, indicating that over 99% of Nigeria’s richest individuals evade or avoid paying taxes.
Emphasizing the need for critical tax reform, John Makina, Country Director, Oxfam in Nigeria said:
Co-incidentally, Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had earlier disclosed that wealthy Nigerians and corporations understate their holdings, depriving the federal and state governments of tax revenues.
Nigeriaâs economic situation is dire, with millions struggling to survive as the cost of living outpaces wage growth, leaving many in hunger and desperation.
Around 133 million peopleâapproximately 70% of the populationâare experiencing food insecurity, with women and girls hit the hardest, accounting for nearly 63% of those affected.
In rural regions, less than 40% of households have access to electricity, which significantly hampers educational and healthcare opportunities.
Women and girls face a greater share of poverty, with a literacy rate of 35% compared to 59.5% for men, and they encounter limited access to both education and land ownership.
Adding to the challenges, Nigeria is nearing bankruptcy, with poverty rates as high as 87% in states like Sokoto, compared to just 4.5% in Lagos.
The increasing debt load has led to a situation where much of the national budget is used for debt repayments rather than financing critical public services.
The report suggests that introducing a progressive wealth tax could raise over $7.5 billion annually.
This additional revenue could either double the governmentâs current health budget or cut household healthcare costs by 40%, significantly alleviating the financial strain on millions of Nigerians.
Oxfam urges the Nigerian government to take action to address the widening economic and social inequality.
It recommends increasing social investments, introducing progressive tax policies, and prioritizing investments in human capital development.
