Cost of Governance, Tax Compliance, and Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between the cost of governance, tax compliance, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The information for the study was sourced through secondary and primary sources. A longitudinal research design was employed for the quantitative data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletins of various issues from 2010 to 2021. The survey research method is used to collect qualitative data through a structured questionnaire. The population of the study was determined using the cluster sampling method, by identifying the professional body whose members comprise the citizens of Nigeria from the Six-Geo political zone. They are members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). Random sampling technique was used to determine the sample using Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) sample size table to determine the sample size of 320 respondents for the study. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA were used to present and interpret the data through the SPSS data analysis package. The findings revealed a significant relationship between the three variables in this study. The policy recommendation for this study is that the government should reduce the cost of running itself, direct government expenditure to address the country’s social welfare problems such as health, infrastructure, and reduce hunger and poverty.