Adedeji said the revenue agency’s objective was to “tax prosperity, not poverty,” stressing that the government would focus on taxing economic returns rather than discouraging investment. According to him, the government’s tax policy was built around the principle of taxing the fruits of investment rather than the investment itself. I don’t want to tax poverty. Adedeji also defended the government against criticism over increased revenue collection amid concerns about poor budget implementation and delays in capital expenditure. “Tax prosperity, not poverty,” he reiterated, stressing that the government’s revenue strategy would be more sustainable when driven by economic growth and increased productivity rather than excessive taxation.