NANS Suspends Planned January 14 Protest, Reaches Consensus On Tax Reform

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has suspended its planned nationwide protest earlier scheduled for January 14, 2025, following extensive consultations and a consensus reached on the newly enacted Tax Reform Laws.

The decision was contained in a communiqué issued at the maiden edition of the Expanded National Executive Council (ENEC) meeting of NANS, which was signed by the chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, President of NANS.

Attendance at the ENEC meeting included members of the NANS National Executive Council, leaders of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), and the National Association of Colleges of Education Students (NANCES), as well as NANS zonal coordinators from the six geopolitical zones, amongst others.

In its preamble, NANS explained that the meeting was convened against the backdrop of widespread public concern and intense national discourse surrounding the Tax Reform Law.

The association recalled its earlier stance, which followed public outcry over alleged alterations to the law, as revealed by some members of the National Assembly, and the low level of public understanding of the legislation before its passage.

At the time, NANS had called for the immediate suspension of the implementation of the law pending the conclusion of investigations by the National Assembly and the conduct of comprehensive public enlightenment to aid citizens’ understanding.

However, NANS disclosed that following this position, its national leadership engaged with several government institutions, including the National Assembly, the Department of State Services and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). The association noted that the National Assembly has since concluded its investigation, with its report published days before the ENEC meeting.

“After extensive deliberations, presentations, and engagements, the Expanded National Executive Council (ENEC) of NANS resolved as follows:

“That the new Tax Reform Law is a deliberate and well-intentioned law aimed at improving Nigeria’s economy, strengthening institutional frameworks for revenue generation, with deliberate provisions to protect low-income earners and vulnerable citizens.

“That the Law does not target the poor; instead, it strengthens social protection while ensuring that higher-income earners contribute more equitably to national revenue, preventing lopsidedness and unnecessary tax burdens on a few.

“That the Law provides for centralized revenue generation with a clear and transparent sharing formula across the Federal Government, State Governments, and Local Governments,” the communique stated.

ENEC further acknowledged that the law provides for centralised revenue generation with a clear and transparent sharing formula among the Federal, State and Local Governments.

In addition, NANS commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as his foresight, intentional leadership and commitment to Nigeria’s structural and economic transformation, especially in fiscal policy reforms and economic stability.