Bill Gates: Nigeria's Low Tax Revenue Hinders Adequate Funding for Health and Education

Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has expressed concerns about Nigeria's inadequate tax revenue. Speaking at a Pan-African youth dialogue on nutrition in Abuja on Tuesday, September 3, Gates highlighted the challenges in sufficiently funding critical sectors like health and education due to poor tax collection.

Gates emphasized the need for a commitment to effectively managing the funding of health programs, stating that public confidence in the government's ability to deliver quality healthcare is essential.

"Over time, there are plans for Nigeria to fund the government more than it does today. The actual tax collection in Nigeria is actually pretty low," Gates said.

He continued, "If citizens want education and health services, as they develop confidence that these programs are well-run—our foundation is involved with many examples that show the way in terms of ensuring money is well spent—it's important to have a very efficient primary healthcare system where employees are doing great work, and centers are properly managed."

Gates' remarks followed a statement by Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, who announced that his committee is recommending a bill to raise the value-added tax from the current 7.5% to 10% to the National Assembly.