“I Pay 42% Tax and I See My Money at Work”: Nigerian Man Lists What Germany Provides vs. Nigeria.
The conversation around tax and what citizens get in return is never-ending, but a recent social media post from a Nigerian man based in Germany has added a fresh, real-world perspective to the debate.
The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, took to the internet to share his personal experience with the German tax system. He openly admits to paying a hefty chunk of his salary to the government—a full 42% every month. But instead of complaining, he explains why he feels the system is worth it, especially when he looks back at the situation in Nigeria.
According to him, the high tax rate comes with a social safety net that catches citizens when they fall. He broke down exactly where his money goes and what he is entitled to in return.
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In his post, he listed several benefits that come with his tax contributions in Germany. He pointed out that if he loses his job, the government steps in immediately to pay him 60% of his salary while also helping him find new work.
He also highlighted support for families, noting that parents can take up to three years off work after having a baby. During this time, they still receive a percentage of their salary, and their job is kept waiting for them until they return. On top of that, the government pays €250 (over 130,000 Naira) every month for each child until they turn 18.
Education is another major point. He stated that schooling is free in government-owned institutions from primary school all the way through to PhD level.
The post also touched on daily life and emergencies. He mentioned a monthly travel pass for just €56 that lets him move around the entire country by train and bus. In an emergency, an ambulance arrives within 20 minutes. He noted that defibrillators and emergency help points are placed at every train station and along highways. “If I get stuck in a country, I call the govt and they come to my support,” he added.
After listing what his 42% tax provides in Germany, he turned his attention to Nigeria. He reminded people that the current tax system in Nigeria was actually copied from the United Kingdom. But in his view, Nigeria is only copying the collection part, not the part where the people benefit.
“You that will pay about 30% tax in Nigeria that was copied from the UK tax law, what will you get?” he asked.
He pointed out the current reality for many Nigerians. He argued that today, the government is not subsidizing anything of real value to the average person. There is no free education for most, no meal tickets, and no housing subsidy. He mentioned the removal of fuel and electricity subsidies, which has made life harder for many. Add to that the lack of good roads, unstable power supply, and widespread insecurity.
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“So what exactly will Nigeria get in return? You uncritically plagiarize the taxation laws of Euro-America, and you want to tax your citizens like the nations of Euro-America do, but you don’t provide 1 percent of what those nations provide for their citizens.” he concluded.
His post has since sparked a lot of discussion online, with many people agreeing that the issue is not just about paying tax, but about demanding transparency and seeing the value of that tax in the form of basic amenities and social services. While the tax rate in Germany is undeniably high, his experience shows that for many citizens, seeing their money actively working to build the society makes all the difference.
“I Pay 42% Tax and I See My Money at Work”: Nigerian Man Lists What Germany Provides vs. Nigeria.
