Church leaders in Abia State are speaking up against a unique policy - they're being asked to pay taxes for their church signboards. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Abia says this isn't happening anywhere else in Nigeria.
On October 22, 2024, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) leaders, Rev Ojo Ojo Uduma and Rev. Dr. Francis E. Okere, wrote to the state governor about their concerns on the Signpost Tax. They pointed out that Abia, known as "God's own state," is surprisingly the only place in Nigeria with such a tax.
The church leaders are worried this policy might create bad feelings between churches and the government. They're asking the governor to:
- Cancel the signpost tax policy
- Meet with church leaders to discuss the issue
- Consider how this affects the Christian community
Tax is right for an enabling society; right tax laws is encouraging.
This popular tax quote come to mind when the discussion of tax come to mind.
- “Taxation is the price which civilized communities pay for the opportunity of remaining civilized.” by Albert Bushnell Hart
- “A fine is a tax for doing something wrong. A tax is a fine for doing something right.” by Anonymous
CAN promises to keep supporting and praying for the state while hoping for a positive response from the government.
The importance of this Matters:
- Abia State is known for its strong Christian presence
- This is the first time churches have faced signpost taxes in Nigeria
- The issue raises questions about religious organization taxation
- It could affect relationships between religious groups and government
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