Students of higher institutions have expressed support for the recently enacted Tax Laws, shelving their planned protest scheduled for January 14 and agreeing to act as ambassadors to educate the public about the tax reforms.
The decision was announced yesterday in Abuja after a meeting of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Expanded National Executive Council (ENEC) and other student union structures. The session included a briefing by Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform.
NANS President Olushola Oladoja told reporters that the student body reversed its earlier stance after gaining a deeper understanding of the laws. He explained: “Contrary to NANS’ prior belief, the Laws do not target the poor. Instead, they strengthen social protection while ensuring that higher-income earners contribute fairly to national revenue, preventing undue burdens on a few.”
Oladoja added that the Laws provide for centralized revenue generation with a clear and transparent formula for distribution among the Federal Government, state governments, and local governments. As a result, NANS has agreed to serve as public enlightenment ambassadors, educating Nigerians on the purpose, importance, and benefits of the Tax Reform Laws to boost citizens’ confidence and trust in the Federal Government during implementation.
He noted that the ENEC, in collaboration with all structural student bodies, hosted tax experts from the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to clarify concerns, address grey areas, and provide comprehensive answers to questions from the public.
Oladoja recalled NANS’ earlier opposition to the Laws, which stemmed from allegations of alterations by a member of the House of Representatives, Abdulsamad Dasuki, and low public understanding. After extensive deliberations, presentations, and engagements, the ENEC concluded that the new laws are deliberate and well-intentioned statutes aimed at improving Nigeria’s economy, strengthening revenue-generation institutions, and protecting low-income earners and vulnerable citizens.
Oyedele highlighted key provisions that would directly benefit students and low-income earners, emphasizing that the laws are designed to make more resources available to state governments for investments in education and infrastructure development.
