The National Association of Nigerian Students has suspended its planned nationwide protest earlier fixed for January 14, 2025, after throwing its weight behind the newly enacted Tax Reform Law.
The decision followed extensive consultations and deliberations at the maiden Expanded National Executive Council meeting of the association.
The outcome was contained in a communiqué signed by the chairman of the communiqué drafting committee, who is also the NANS president, Comrade Olushola Oladoja.
The meeting brought together members of the NANS National Executive Council, leaders of the National Association of University Students, the National Association of Polytechnic Students, the National Association of Colleges of Education Students, as well as zonal coordinators from the six geopolitical zones.
In the communiqué, NANS explained that the meeting was convened amid growing public concern and intense national debate over the Tax Reform Law.
The association recalled that it had earlier opposed the law following public outcry over alleged alterations by some lawmakers and what it described as inadequate public understanding before its passage.
At the time, NANS had demanded a suspension of the law’s implementation pending investigations by the National Assembly and wide public enlightenment to help citizens properly understand its provisions.
However, the association disclosed that its national leadership later engaged relevant government institutions, including the National Assembly, the Department of State Services, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
It noted that the National Assembly has since concluded its investigation and made its report public ahead of the ENEC meeting.
After reviewing the findings, NANS said it was convinced of the intentions behind the legislation.
“After extensive deliberations, presentations and engagements, the Expanded National Executive Council of NANS resolved 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,” the communiqué stated.
The students’ body added that the law does not target the poor but rather strengthens social protection while ensuring that higher income earners contribute more equitably to national revenue.
According to NANS, the legislation also provides for centralised revenue generation with a clear and transparent sharing formula among the Federal Government, state governments and local governments.
Based on these resolutions, the association announced the suspension of its planned protest.
NANS also commended Tinubu for what it described as foresight and commitment to Nigeria’s economic transformation, particularly in the area of fiscal reforms and efforts aimed at stabilising the economy.
