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How Bill Gates Highlights Low Tax Revenue in Nigeria, Advocates for Increased Funding

Published by Tope Fakinlede on September 4th, 2024.

How Bill Gates Highlights Low Tax Revenue in Nigeria, Advocates for Increased Funding

Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, has highlighted that Nigeria’s tax revenue is notably low, which hampers the ability to properly fund essential services like health and education. Gates made this observation during his speech at a Pan-African youth dialogue on nutrition held in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to reports, Gates’ visit to Nigeria was aimed at addressing a variety of development issues, including health, agriculture, poverty, and nutrition. His engagements included discussions with Nigerian officials, youth groups, and development partners.

During the event, Gates emphasized that insufficient tax revenue presents a significant challenge in financing crucial sectors. He stressed the need for improved management and allocation of funds to health and education to build public confidence in the government’s ability to deliver quality services.

Gates stated, “In the long term, Nigeria needs to increase its government funding beyond current levels. The existing tax collection in Nigeria is quite low. To enhance public trust in healthcare and education, there must be effective management and funding of these programs. Our foundation is involved in showcasing how to efficiently manage health programs, ensuring that primary health care systems are well-staffed and adequately resourced.”

Gates’ comments follow a recent proposal by Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, to raise the value-added tax from 7.5% to 10%. Oyedele discussed the pressing issues related to Nigeria’s tax revenue and overall fiscal health during a Channels TV interview. He mentioned that his committee’s mandate includes improving governance, financial management, and coordination across government levels.