National Tax Acts will eliminate tax inconsistencies – Expert

Member, Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Professor Muritala Awodun, has said that major reforms in the National Tax Acts scheduled to commence in January 2026 will eliminate most of the tax inconsistencies.

Delivering a lecture on “Tax Policy, Economic Uncertainties and School Administration in Nigeria” during the 18th annual national conference of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) in Ilorin,

Awodun said that inflation, currency instability, fluctuating oil prices, unemployment, and inconsistent tax enforcement had weakened government revenue and reduced education budgets, thereby affecting both public and private schools.

Drawing on his experience as the former Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, Awodun explored evolving landscape of private education and the realities of managing schools in a challenging economic environment.

While highlighting a major structural imbalance within the system, the Professor of Business and Entrepreneurship said that although private schools contribute significantly to the Education system of the nation, the Education Tax Funds are utilised predominantly for public institutions, leaving private schools with no direct benefits despite their significant role in uplifting the country’s educational burden.

He commended private school proprietors for bridging the gap created by the declining quality of public education, acknowledging their resilience, accountability, and innovation in sustaining Nigeria’s learning ecosystem.

He noted that school administrators increasingly struggle with budgeting, technology adoption, regulatory compliance, and maintaining educational standards amid unpredictable economic conditions.

To navigate these challenges, he encouraged schools to diversify income streams, strengthen financial planning systems, invest in staff development through partnerships, and adopt technology that boosts efficiency and long-term sustainability.

As part of the event, NAPPS Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman, Dr. Mijinyawa I. Said, presented the Professor with the Meritorious Service Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the advancement of quality education in Nigeria.

Awodun, on his part, in further demonstration of his commitment to improving learning nationwide, donated 1,000 copies of his book, “Entrepreneurship for Secondary Schools – Not Just Schooling but Learning”, valued at ₦5,000 per copy, to school owners present at the conference.