By Adenike Lawal
The Kogi State government’s directive requiring students to present their parents’ tax clearance certificates for school registration has sparked widespread backlash from parents, human rights advocates, and education stakeholders.
In a memo dated November 26, 2024, Sule Enehe, Chairman of the Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue Services, instructed schools to deny registration to students without verifiable proof of their parents’ tax compliance.
Legal practitioner and human rights activist Arome Odoma has challenged the policy, issuing a Pre-Action Notice to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the Board of Internal Revenue Service Chairman.
He argues that the policy is unjust, violates fundamental rights, and unfairly punishes children for their parents’ financial obligations.
Odoma warns that the directive could limit access to education and reduce Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), for schools.
Criticism has also come from Sir Agabaidu Jideani, National Commissioner for the Right to Education at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), who acknowledged the importance of tax compliance but cautioned that the policy could infringe on children’s right to education.
He urged Governor Ododo to consider alternative revenue measures that do not compromise educational access.
Meanwhile, concerned citizens like Mr. Elesho Emmanuel have condemned the policy as anti-education and anti-humanitarian, questioning why children should suffer due to their parents’ tax status.
With mounting public outcry, stakeholders are demanding the immediate reversal of the policy before January 10, 2025.
