By Joy Salami
The Kogi State Government has officially withdrawn the controversial directive requiring parents to present their Tax Clearance Certificates,(TCC), before their children can enroll in tertiary institutions.
The Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), Alhaji Salihu Sule Enehe, made this know on Wednesday during a media chat with journalists in Lokoja.
He explained that the decision followed Governor Ododo’s directive to prioritise the well-being of citizens and reduce undue hardships.
“The governor has ordered the immediate cancellation of the policy mandating parents to present Tax Clearance Certificates for their children’s enrollment in schools. His Excellency stressed that his administration will not introduce measures that place unnecessary burdens on citizens,” Enehe stated.
Despite the cancellation, Governor Ododo emphasised the importance of fulfilling tax obligations, urging residents to pay their taxes promptly to support the state’s development efforts.
According to Enehe, KGIRS is working on alternative methods to encourage compliance with tax payments without affecting students’ access to education. “We are reviewing strategies to ensure parents stay up-to-date with their tax obligations without impacting their children’s schooling,” he said.
He further noted that the state’s financial support programmes, including bursaries and other student-focused initiatives, would be reassessed to maintain a balance between fiscal sustainability and public welfare.
In addition, the state has set an ambitious Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target of ₦35 billion for 2025, up from last year’s target of ₦30.4 billion. “We generated ₦27 billion in 2024, and with the governor’s infrastructure projects as motivators, we are confident of achieving this year’s target,” Enehe disclosed.
He attributed the positive outlook to the visible impact of Governor Ododo’s development projects, which have encouraged residents to meet their tax obligations. When people see tangible progress in their communities, they are more willing to contribute through taxes, he added.
The cancellation of the policy has been widely praised by parents and stakeholders in the education sector, many of whom had criticized it as unfair and burdensome.
