“I Pay 42% Tax in Germany—And Here’s What I Get in Return”:

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A Nigerian doctor living and working in Germany, Dr. Baridueh Badon, has sparked a heated national conversation after detailing the social and economic benefits he enjoys from paying taxes abroad, while questioning what Nigerian taxpayers receive in return.

In a widely shared post on X (formerly Twitter), Dr. Badon disclosed that he pays about 42 per cent of his income in taxes every month in Germany. Despite the high rate, he said the value citizens receive from the system justifies the cost.

According to him, if he loses his job, the German government steps in to pay roughly 60 per cent of his salary while also helping him secure new employment. He added that parents are entitled to up to three years of leave after having a child, during which they receive a percentage of their salary and are guaranteed that their jobs will still be available upon return.

Dr. Badon also highlighted that education in Germany’s public schools is free from primary level through to PhD, easing the financial burden on families. In addition, he noted that the government pays child benefits of about €250 monthly for each child until the age of 18.

On transportation, he explained that residents can travel across the country using trains and buses with a subsidised monthly ticket costing around €56.

He further pointed to Germany’s emergency response system, stating that ambulances typically arrive within 20 minutes of an emergency call, while defibrillators and SOS facilities are available at train stations and along major highways.

The doctor also revealed that German citizens receive consular and government support if they become stranded abroad.

After listing these benefits, Dr. Badon turned his focus to Nigeria, noting that many Nigerians pay close to 30 per cent in taxes under a system largely adapted from the UK. He then posed a direct question to citizens and policymakers alike: what concrete benefits do Nigerians derive from their tax payments?

His post has since gone viral, generating thousands of reactions and comments. Many Nigerians used the opportunity to express frustration over poor infrastructure, inadequate healthcare, unreliable public services, and limited social welfare despite regular tax payments.

Others argued that Nigeria’s larger population and economic challenges make such comparisons difficult.
Nonetheless, the post has reignited public debate around governance, transparency, and accountability, with growing calls for Nigerian authorities to ensure that tax revenues translate into visible improvements in citizens’ quality of life.