CNG Students’ Wing Condemns Tax Reform Bill, Raises Concerns Over Education Policies in Northern Nigeria

By Abdulaziz Garba

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Students’ Wing, has expressed deep concerns over the Nigerian government’s recent policies, particularly the proposed Tax Reform Bill, which it describes as a deliberate attempt to undermine the already fragile education sector in Northern Nigeria. In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Hassan Adamu, the group rejected the bill in its entirety, warning that it poses a grave threat to the development of tertiary education in the country. The group also raised issues surrounding the disbursement of funds by the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and called for urgent reforms to safeguard the future of education and protect the interests of students.

The proposed Tax Reform Bill, according to the CNG Students’ Wing, jeopardizes the critical role of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), which has been instrumental in financing research, infrastructure development, and staff training across tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Under the bill, TETFUND’s funding—which currently comes from 3% of tertiary education tax on companies’ profits—will be significantly reduced over the next few years. By 2030, allocations to TETFUND will cease entirely, effectively rendering the institution defunct. The group argued that this move will cripple the ability of tertiary institutions to provide quality education, leaving them in a state of neglect.

The bill further prioritizes the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), shifting resources from infrastructure and innovation to student loans. While acknowledging the importance of student loans, the group criticized the potential long-term consequences, such as rising tuition fees and the risk of saddling students with unsustainable debt. The group warned that this could transform public tertiary institutions into revenue-generating entities, making education unaffordable for the majority of Nigerians. It also expressed fears that this shift in focus could pave the way for the privatization of public institutions, further marginalizing economically disadvantaged students.

In addition to concerns about the tax reform, the CNG Students’ Wing highlighted glaring disparities in the disbursement of funds under the NELFUND scheme. It revealed that of the 234 federal and state tertiary institutions approved for the scheme, only 96 institutions in the northern region benefited, leaving many state-owned institutions without adequate support. States like Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kano were particularly affected, with only a fraction of their public tertiary institutions covered. The group also noted that delays in disbursement and pressure from institutions to meet tuition deadlines have left many students in financial distress, with some forced to withdraw from school or miss critical academic activities such as examinations.

The CNG Students’ Wing also raised alarm over reports of tuition fee hikes in some tertiary institutions, which it described as a potential abuse of the student loan scheme. It cautioned that any increase in tuition fees, especially in the current economic climate, could lead to a surge in dropout rates and severely limit access to education. The group further criticized institutions that have not fully refunded tuition fees to beneficiaries, urging transparency and fairness in the management of the loan scheme.

In its statement, the group called on the federal government to immediately halt the tax reform process and engage in comprehensive consultations with stakeholders before proceeding. It urged lawmakers to carefully study the bill and ensure that the interests of educational institutions and students are protected. The group also demanded that NELFUND expand its coverage to include all federal and state tertiary institutions in the northern region, ensuring equal access to the scheme for all students. Additionally, it called for the timely disbursement of funds to institutions to ease financial pressure on beneficiaries and urged tertiary institutions to refrain from increasing tuition fees or setting rigid deadlines for payment.

The CNG Students’ Wing reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian students and emphasized the need for collective action to address these pressing issues. It called on all well-meaning Nigerians to join in protecting the future of education, ensuring that it remains accessible and inclusive for all.