Late last May, the age-long drive to bring the finances of religious organizations in the country into the approved taxable income regime received impetus from the delegates to the National Conference when they overwhelmingly voted in favour of churches’ and mosques’ incomes being subjected to taxation. A delegate representing civil society organisations, Mallam Naseer Kura, broached the argument that religious organisations in Nigeria were raking in so much funds, part of which should be taxed by the government.
When critically viewed, the proposal looks attractive. Some religious leaders have dropped the virtues of asceticism for ostentatious lifestyles. Flamboyance is the other name of most ‘men of God’ in the country today. Palatial houses, exotic cars and private jets are what can now be associated with several shepherds of God, even when their sheep are rotting away in grinding poverty and penury. Yet, religious organizations do not pay taxes to the government. It will, however, be a gross violation of known convention to impose taxes on the finances of religious groups, be they Christians or Muslims.
Globally, churches and mosques are viewed as non-profit- making organizations that engage in charitable support programmes. Some of them champion rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for drug addicts, ex-convicts, extensive and inclusive empowerment programmes for their members, especially, and other people in their neighbourhoods. They also run schools and hospitals, etc. Funds for such projects are generated from the donations of members of the congregation (we assume they do taxable jobs), who might have paid their personal income taxes to the government. It will, therefore, amount to double taxation to subject such donations to another round of tax.
Nonetheless, we do recognize that most churches and mosques have income generation establishments. But business outfits owned by churches must be separated from the parent religious organizations, since they have to run the businesses based on state laws. When religious leaders establish income-yielding outfits, our position is that they should pay taxes on such investments based on the income streams of their business establishments. But it will be sacrilegious for the tithe paid by an employed member of any Christian or Muslim faithful, who pays tax to the state, or the offering and other sundry levies he or she pays, to be taxed.
We caution, however, that religious leaders should stop drawing undue attention to themselves through their profligate and reckless lifestyles. While we appreciate the challenges of modern evangelism, the successful religious leaders of today should caution themselves. They should be modest in their quest for material possessions and the kind of lifestyles they flaunt before their flock. An out-of-this-world lifestyle in the midst of poverty-stricken members casts most religious leaders in the mould of cruel Reverend Fathers, Pastors, Prophets and Imams. They see themselves as highly respected. But their flock views them as not just oppressors, but selfish gluttons capitalizing on the weaknesses of their vulnerable members.
Nigerians hold dearly their religious ethos and sensibilities; and no one, under any guise, should pretend that religious fulfillment and sentiments are not some of the factors many latch on to keep hope alive. Section 38 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees and protects Nigerians’ right to freedom of worship, for example. The deep thoughts of the framers of the said Constitution, though assembled by the military, ought to be respected.
We do not consider taxing churches and mosques as an issue more urgent than the restructuring and renewing of the nation. As it is, the country is already at the crossroads. The raging insurgency in parts of the North, rapacious corruption in the country, ever increasing youth unemployment and crises in the power and education sectors, among others, are challenging enough for the country and its largely selfish and divided leadership. Nothing must be done to compound the already complex situation. Let Nigerian leaders give more attention to issues that will profit the country as a nation; and steer clear of the ones that are likely to deepen the rancour and bitterness already splitting the nation.
