Kogi State in Nigeria has implemented a policy requiring students to submit their parents' tax clearance certificates for university registration, sparking outcry from rights groups and education stakeholders.
Kogi State in Nigeria has implemented a controversial policy requiring new and returning students in state-owned tertiary institutions to provide their parents' tax clearance certificate as a condition for registration. The directive, issued by Sule Salihu Enehe, the chairman of the state internal revenue service, aims to enforce tax compliance and bolster state revenues. The policy, which was first piloted at Federal University Lokoja in 2023, is now being enforced statewide.
The state government argues that the policy is legitimate under section 24(f) of Nigeria's Personal Income Tax Act, which allows for the requirement of tax clearance certificates for certain transactions. However, critics argue that the law does not explicitly state that acquiring public education is one such transaction. They contend that the policy is discriminatory, particularly against self-sponsored students and those from low-income families or outside the state. The requirement, they say, was not part of the original admission conditions and could deny many students access to education.Muhammad Idris, the corporate affairs head at Kogi IRS, maintains that the policy is not intended to financially burden students. He states that the submission of a tax clearance certificate simply demonstrates the tax compliance status of the parents or guardians. He also points out that the policy has been in discussion for over three years and that institutions were given time for sensitization. The state government highlights that Kogi has consistently met its projected Personal Income Tax revenue targets, demonstrating the importance of this revenue stream. However, rights activists and education stakeholders express concern that the policy infringes upon the right to education. Agabaidu Jideani, a commissioner at the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria, warns against allowing tax compliance to supersede the fundamental right to education. Arome Odoma, an activist, is challenging the policy's legality through a pre-action notice to the state governor
Kogi State Tax Clearance Student Registration Education Policy Controversy Human Rights Nigeria
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