- Tax Hike: Private school owners protested a recent tax hike, reportedly between 200% and 400%.
- Job Losses: Over 300,000 teachers risk losing their jobs, along with vendors and service providers.
- Tax Calculation: The new tax policy calculates tax based on a flat rate of ₦30,000 to ₦35,000 per student.
- Multiple Levies: Private school owners are burdened with multiple levies, including personal income tax and other fees.
- Government Response: The Edo State government has promised to examine the demands and convene a meeting with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS).
Private school owners in Edo State, Nigeria, are up in arms over a recent tax hike, which they claim is “punitive and economically damaging” to the private education sector. The Coalition of Associations of Private Schools (CAPS) staged a peaceful protest in Benin City, carrying placards and banners demanding the reversal of the tax increase, reportedly between 200% and 400%.
The protest was led by Dr. Ohis-Olakhe Emmanuel, Chairman of the coalition, who expressed concerns that the tax increase could lead to job losses for over 300,000 teachers, as well as countless vendors and service providers who depend on schools for survival. He also criticized the new tax policy, which calculates tax based on a flat rate of ₦30,000 to ₦35,000 per student, despite many schools charging significantly lower fees.
Other members of the coalition, including Dr. Austin Igbasan, Secretary of the coalition, and Mr. Oladele Ogundele, Secretary of AFED, echoed similar concerns, warning of a ripple effect on the education ecosystem if the tax burden isn’t reviewed. They also called for a uniform tax regime, citing the burden of multiple levies imposed by various government agencies.
In response to the protest, Edo State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Paddy Iyamu, assured the coalition that the state government would examine their demands. He promised that a meeting would be convened with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) to address the concerns. Iyamu emphasized that while taxation is necessary for the government to fulfill its responsibilities, the government does not intend to overburden schools.
Iyamu also urged proprietors of substandard schools to make improvements, warning that the state government would soon begin enforcing stricter regulatory measures. The protest highlights the challenges faced by private school owners in Edo State and their concerns about the impact of the tax hike on the education sector.
