The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Ogbomoso North chapter, Oyo State, has raised alarm over the crippling impact of multiple taxation on private schools, urging governments at all levels to recognise and support them as crucial partners in national development.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Mr. Wale Ojewumi, the association emphasized that private schools should not be seen as competitors to public schools but as collaborators working towards the shared goal of educating Nigerian children.
“Private schools have been steadfast partners in shaping the future of Nigeria, and we remain committed to the vision of a prosperous and educated nation. We are not in competition with public schools but rather complement their efforts, filling critical gaps where public resources are stretched,” Ojewumi said.
He lamented that despite their contributions, private schools continue to struggle with challenges such as multiple taxation, heavy levies, lack of access to funding, and exclusion from government policy initiatives. According to him, these hurdles threaten the survival of many institutions that currently cater to millions of students and provide employment for thousands of Nigerians.
Ojewumi therefore appealed to the government to introduce policies that ease tax burdens, expand access to loans and training opportunities, and strengthen collaboration in areas such as technology integration, curriculum development, and school security.
He stressed that promoting synergy between public and private schools would guarantee wider access to quality education. “Every investment in education, whether in public or private schools, is an investment in the peace, prosperity, and unity of Nigeria,” he concluded.
