Academic technologists seek N2m tax-free income

From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja

The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has urged the Federal Government to raise the annual income tax exemption threshold from N800,000 to N2 million, warning that the current benchmark is no longer realistic amid rising inflation and economic hardship.

The demand was made in a communiqué issued at the end of the association’s 61st regular National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on December 3 and 4, 2025, at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam Campus, Anambra State.

NAAT said increasing the tax-free income threshold would ease the financial burden on academic technologists, many of whom are grappling with high living costs and delayed entitlements. The union also called on the government to limit taxation to basic salaries, excluding allowances and other components of workers’ earnings.

According to the communiqué, signed by NAAT President, Ibeji Nwokoma, the current N800,000 threshold has been overtaken by inflation and no longer reflects economic realities faced by workers in the tertiary education sector.

Beyond taxation, the union urged the Federal Government to fast-track the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement to improve the welfare and working conditions of academic technologists and strengthen technological development in higher institutions.

NAAT also raised concerns over erratic power supply, which it said continues to disrupt laboratory work, students’ practical training and research activities. It called for urgent deployment of alternative energy solutions, including solar and wind power, across tertiary institutions.

The NEC further appealed for the immediate payment of three and a half months’ withheld salaries and outstanding arrears arising from promotions, salary increments, the N35,000 wage award and the consequential adjustment to the N70,000 minimum wage.

The union said addressing these issues holistically would help stabilise the education sector and cushion the impact of the prevailing economic hardship on its members.