Ododo removes tax clearance requirement for student registration

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.

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.

However, he emphasised the importance of tax compliance, warning that tax evasion remains a punishable offence.

“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,” he added.

The TCC requirement 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.