Enugu State has introduced a N40 daily tax on corpses in mortuaries, aiming to discourage extended storage times. The tax applies to mortuary owners, not families, and is intended to promote timely burials. The government emphasizes that the fee is not meant for revenue generation.
The Enugu State Government announced a controversial N40 daily tax on corpses stored in mortuaries, aiming to discourage extended storage periods. Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS), Emmanuel Nnamani, clarified that this measure is not a revenue-generating initiative but a means to promote timely burials. The tax applies if a corpse remains unburied for more than 24 hours, accumulating daily until burial is completed.
Nnamani emphasized that the tax is imposed on mortuary owners, not families, and reassured residents that the payment is only N40 per day, debunking rumors of a much higher charge. The intent is to reduce the number of unclaimed bodies and alleviate overcrowding in mortuaries.
Nigerians reacted strongly on social media, with mixed feelings about the new tax. Some users criticized it as an additional burden on grieving families, with one commenter humorously remarking that the dead can no longer rest in peace. Others saw it as a necessary step to combat the growing issue of bodies being kept in morgues for extended periods. Notable reactions included Senator Shehu Sani’s quip that "taxing dead bodies means people can no longer rest in peace,"
