Economist Daramola Omoyele has urged the Nigerian government to include religious institutions in the new tax net, warning that excluding some of the wealthiest religious leaders undermines fairness and public trust. Speaking with NAN, Omoyele emphasized that while the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (2025) introduces reforms like a unified tax ID system and raised exemption thresholds, it risks failing if the powerful are exempted and the vulnerable overburdened.
He highlighted how some pastors and imams, often wealthier than their congregations, enjoy tax-free status despite owning luxury assets. Omoyele warned this fuels economic inequality and weakens government revenue, urging the taxation of religious leaders to ensure accountability and civic responsibility. He also stressed that curbing corruption in tax administration is key to convincing Nigerians that paying taxes is not oppression but a service to society.
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