Jos, Nigeria – In a fervent appeal on a recent episode of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) ‘Rock City’ Breakfast Show, Chief Ayuba Burki Gufwan, a polio survivor and esteemed human rights activist, called on Nigerian lawmakers to amend the country’s tax laws to better support local charity and humanitarian efforts.
Chief Gufwan, the Executive Director of the Beautiful Gate Handicapped People’s Center in Jos and a notable figure in humanitarian advocacy, argued for a system where a portion of taxes collected is directed towards charitable activities. Drawing on successful models from other countries, he highlighted how taxable individuals and entities in nations like the United States can allocate a fraction of their taxes to support humanitarian causes, thus creating a sustainable funding mechanism beyond government aid.
“The biggest problem in Nigeria about funding and supporting humanitarian aid generally is that the government has not created the enabling environment for citizens to contribute,” Chief Gufwan remarked. “In the United States, for example, there are significant incentives for citizens to donate a certain percentage of their taxable income to charities. This is not the case in Nigeria, where the government takes 100% of our taxes without offering similar provisions.”
Chief Gufwan emphasized that the current reliance on foreign donations poses a risk, especially when foreign policies shift. This leaves local humanitarian efforts vulnerable and underfunded. He stressed that enabling tax law amendments would empower Nigerians and corporate entities to support local charities, ensuring a steady flow of resources for critical humanitarian activities.
“If we pass a law allowing Nigerian citizens and organizations to commit a certain percentage of their income to any charity of their choice, humanitarianism will blossom in Nigeria. There are many people with ideas for humanitarian projects who are stalled due to lack of funding,” he added.
Chief Gufwan’s impassioned plea aims to galvanize lawmakers into creating a more supportive environment for local charitable contributions, ensuring a more resilient and self-sustaining humanitarian sector in Nigeria.
