By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
IBADAN – In a move to bridge the gap between religious obligation and civic duty, Islamic scholars and security chiefs gathered in Ibadan on Thursday to provide a theological defense for taxation, declaring it “incumbent on all” who desire national growth.
At the annual Ramadan Lecture and National Prayer organized by the Oyo State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the conversation shifted from spiritual fasting to the “fiscal faith” required to stabilize Nigeria.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Muqadam Muhammed Toyib Abdulmumin dispelled the notion that Zakat is the only financial obligation in Islam.
He argued that taxation is a necessary tool for governance, citing historical precedents from the life of the Holy Prophet.
“Even the Holy Prophet Muhammad paid taxes in his lifetime, and his followers continued the practice after him,” Abdulmumin stated. “While Zakat is confined to Muslims, taxation is all-inclusive and essential for the collective good.”
However, the cleric didn’t just advocate for the government’s coffers.
He described taxation as a “two-pronged spoon,” emphasizing that while citizens must pay, the government has a divine and legal obligation to be “transparent as glass.”
Abdulmumin issued a stern warning against tax systems that favor the elite while crushing the marginalized.
“Islam frowns at regressive taxation that favors only the rich. The government must be fair, accountable, and avoid exploitative practices. Taxation should be pro-poor and address genuine needs,” he added.
The Oyo State Director of the NOA, Mrs. Ajolayo Sinmiat Akande, linked the holy month’s spirit of discipline to nation-building. She urged the Muslim faithful to “give verve” to government policies by paying taxes promptly as a mark of responsible citizenship.
Speaking during the program, representative of the police CSP Sanusi Muritala Adebayo called for national unity to ensure these fiscal policies bear fruit.
While A. Oseni who spoke on behalf of the DSS urged citizens to complement their tax-paying duties with security consciousness to “thrash out” criminal activities, the representative of the FRSCReminded Nigerians that infrastructure—like the roads they drive on—is directly tied to the tax net.
The event climaxed with a rare convergence of prayers and policy advocacy.
