The Enugu State Government is facing a storm of public outrage following the introduction of what critics have dubbed a “mortuary tax” — a daily levy of N40 imposed on corpses kept in morgues across the state. The policy has triggered a heated debate, with many describing it as not only bizarre but also deeply insensitive.
Among the most vocal critics is Dr. Ben Nwoye, former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, who condemned the policy as callous and devoid of humanity. In an interview with SaharaReporters, Nwoye recounted his personal experience of being compelled to pay the tax following the death of his mother-in-law.
“I didn’t understand it until I was directly affected,” Nwoye said. “It’s not even about the N40 — it’s the principle behind it. The idea that a grieving family should be taxed for mourning their loved one is beyond cruel. It’s inhumane.”
He questioned the logic of targeting the dead when the living, many of whom are already burdened by economic hardship, are struggling to meet their tax obligations. “Have we finished taxing the living before turning to the dead?” Nwoye asked pointedly. “Traders, artisans, civil servants — everyone is already paying taxes. Now, the government wants to squeeze revenue from the dead?”
He emphasized that in Igbo culture, the dead are held in reverence and should be treated with dignity — not used as a revenue stream. “Culturally, it’s unacceptable. We honor our dead, we don’t monetize them. The emotional weight families carry during bereavement is heavy enough. Adding a financial tax only deepens the wound.”
Nwoye also raised concerns over the transparency and motivation behind the tax. “Someone somewhere must have sat down to estimate the number of deaths in the state per month, calculated potential revenue, and decided this was a viable income stream. That’s not governance with a human face — that’s bureaucracy gone cold.”
He further noted that mortuary operators themselves already pay their dues to both state and federal governments, making the added burden on bereaved families unjustifiable. “These are licensed businesses that pay taxes. Why then are we penalizing the families?”
Calling for an immediate policy reversal, Nwoye urged the government to re-evaluate its priorities. “There are better ways to generate revenue — improve tax collection from the living, support small businesses, attract investments. But this — taxing the pain of grieving families — is simply wrong.”
The controversial policy has sparked widespread criticism on social media and among civil society groups, many of whom accuse the state government of lacking compassion in its pursuit of revenue. While the Enugu State Government has yet to issue an official response, public pressure is mounting for a reversal of the decision.
As the outrage grows, many citizens are asking: What kind of government taxes sorrow?
This unfolding saga underscores a broader concern about the increasing disconnect between policymakers and the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians — especially in times of grief.
PIONEER NEWS 