Ene Obi: If Sex Workers Are Taxed, They Deserve Social Benefits and Legal Protection
Story: written by Uzuh Rita October 13,2025
Women’s rights activist and development advocate, Ene Obi, has argued that commercial sex workers in Nigeria should be granted access to social amenities, legal protection, and welfare benefits if the government decides to impose taxes on their income.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Saturday, Obi emphasized that over 100 million Nigerians currently live below the poverty line, with women bearing the greatest share of economic hardship.
“When we talk about taxation and commercial sex workers, we need to consider the issue of human rights,” she said. “Before you impose taxes, you must ask — who are you taxing? Many of these women live in extreme poverty and face daily threats of violence.”
The activist maintained that if the Nigerian government moves to formally recognize and tax sex work, it must also ensure social justice and gender equality by providing access to healthcare, housing, and protection from gender-based violence.
Obi stressed that true tax justice means not only collecting revenue but also protecting the vulnerable. “If sex workers are contributing to the system through taxes, then they should benefit from it. They deserve social services and safety just like every other taxpayer,” she added.
Her remarks have sparked renewed debate about the legal status and welfare rights of sex workers in Nigeria, particularly in light of ongoing discussions about expanding the country’s tax base amid economic hardship.
