Nigerians Fear Tax Looters, Not Taxes – Ugezu

Kehinde Adeleye

Nollywood filmmaker Ugezu J. Ugezu has said Nigerians are not opposed to paying taxes but are worried about how public funds are managed.

Speaking in a video shared on his Facebook page, Ugezu argued that many citizens would willingly pay taxes if they could clearly see that the money was being used to improve their lives through infrastructure and public services.

According to him, the real concern among Nigerians is the alleged looting of public funds, including tax revenue.

“The President is talking about introducing tax law. Let me be very sincere with you. Nigerians are not afraid of paying taxes. Nigerians are rather afraid of somebody looting the taxes they have paid, and we have seen it happen,” he said.

He added that asking citizens to pay more taxes without addressing corruption would only deepen public distrust.

“You cannot be planning how you are going to tax the people, and you are not telling us what happened to the money that is being looted. An average Nigerian is afraid that if you pay taxes, they will loot it,” he said.

The filmmaker stressed that stronger accountability and the prosecution of those who embezzle public funds would encourage greater compliance with tax policies.

“If there is a system whereby people who are stealing government money are being made to face the law and we are seeing that the looters are being punished, we will be happy.

“If Nigerians are seeing what their taxes are used for, we will gladly be paying taxes,” he added.