Kogi State Removes Tax Certificate Requirement For Student Registration

The Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo has directed the immediate removal of the Tax Clearance Certificate as a prerequisite for students’ registration in state-owned tertiary institutions.

The Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, Salihu Enehe, disclosed this on Wednesday during a media briefing in Lokoja, the state capital.

Enehe explained that ”the Governor’s directive aims to ease the burden on parents and guardians while encouraging educational pursuits in the state.”

“Parents and guardians are no longer required to present a TCC for registering their children and wards in Kogi’s tertiary institutions,” Enehe stated.

He said; “While we have removed this requirement to support education, every taxable citizen must fulfil their civic responsibility by paying taxes to contribute to the state’s development. Tax evasion may attract penalties, including fines or imprisonment of up to six months.”

The Tax Clearance Certificate controversy sparked widespread criticism last week, after parents were turned away from state-owned universities for failing to provide the document during their children’s registration.

The Governor’s decision followed public outcry, emphasizing that the administration will not impose unnecessary pain or hardship on the citizens. However, the Governor urged residents to pay their taxes and update their tax payment schedules to support the state’s development.

The KGIRS Chairman said it has started reaching out to tertiary institutions on the directives, noting that despite the stoppage, certain benefits will still be denied those whose parents did not have record of tax payment.

“His Excellency Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed that no student should be deny of registration for not presenting TCC, but that parents and other citizens should pay their tax regularly so that they can benefit from other privileges,” he said.

Illegal Revenue Collection

Addressing the issue of illegal revenue collection along federal roads in Kogi State by some youths, the Executive Chairman stated that the revenue service would continue to educate those involved in such unlawful activities. He warned that strict sanctions would be imposed on anyone caught engaging in the offense.

Mercy Chukwudiebere