By Ibrahim Adebowale
An economist, Daramola Omoyele, has urged the Federal Government to include religious institutions in Nigeria’s new tax framework, warning that exempting them while burdening ordinary citizens would undermine fairness and accountability.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, Omoyele said the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (2025), which introduced a unified tax identification system and new levies, could fail if corruption and elite exemptions persist.
He argued that many religious leaders live lavishly, amassing wealth through donations and offerings while their congregations struggle. “Paying tax is not a sin; it is an act of service to society,” he said.
Omoyele maintained that taxing religious organisations would boost revenue, curb exploitation, and restore public trust. He, however, stressed that reforms must go hand in hand with tackling corruption in tax administration.
“Until corruption is addressed and all income, religious or corporate, is fairly taxed, Nigerians will continue to view taxation as oppression, not obligation,” he added.
