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Passes vote of confidence on NRS, others
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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called off the proposed nationwide protest earlier scheduled for January 14.
The proposed protest, according to NANS, was to register the concerns of the students about the new tax policies, which they claimed would inflict more pain and hardship on students.
NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, announced the decision at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, after a prolonged meeting with Mr Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, and his team.
He said the meeting provided the opportunity for Mr Oyedele to engage the students, attend to their curiosity, answer their questions, and provide detailed explanations on every grey area regarding the new tax reform policies that came into effect on 1 January 2026.
He said, “The Expanded National Executive Council (ENEC) of NANS convened the maiden edition meeting against the backdrop of widespread public concerns and national discourse surrounding the newly enacted tax reform law.
“Our earlier position on the law, following public outcry arising from revelations by some National Assembly members about alleged alterations to the tax reform act, coupled with low public understanding of the Act and its operational guidelines, before it was fully passed into law.
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“In response, NANS formally called for the immediate suspension of the implementation of the new tax law, pending the conclusion of investigations by the National Assembly around the raised allegations and the conduct of comprehensive and targeted public education about the law to enhance citizens’ understanding and support to ensure the desired results are achieved through this reform.
“This position was accompanied by a 14-day ultimatum, after which NANS proposed to mobilise Nigerian students for mass protest actions across the country should the demands not be addressed. But after extensive deliberations, presentations, and engagements, the ENEC 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.
“That the law does not target the poor as being said in some quarters; 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 centralised revenue generation with a clear and transparent sharing formula across the Federal Government, state governments, and local governments.”
The NANS president offered to mobilise NANS and its officials to serve as ambassadors of public enlightenment, committed to educating Nigerians on the purpose, importance, and benefits of the tax reform law to boost citizens’ confidence and trust in the Federal Government during the implementation of the law.
He affirmed the authenticity of the tax reform law as officially released by the National Assembly following the conclusion of its investigation. “Consequent upon the above resolutions, NANS hereby calls off the proposed nationwide protest earlier scheduled for 14 January 2026.
“We pass a vote of confidence on Mr Zacch Adedeji, former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and pioneer Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), for his leadership, professionalism, and contributions to Nigeria’s fiscal reforms, particularly in operationalising this novel reform.”
The students, however, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for, according to them, his unwavering commitment to the structural and economic transformation of the Nigerian state, particularly in the areas of fiscal policy reforms and economic stability.
