Private School Owners in Enugu Struggle Under Rising Taxes

The private education sector in Enugu State is facing a severe challenge due to an increase in taxes and levies, pushing many school owners to the brink of closure. Stakeholders in the sector are decrying what they see as unfair taxation policies, describing the situation as a significant threat to their survival.

At a recent press conference, Ambassador Emeka Agbowo Grahams, the pioneer chairman of the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria (APSON), expressed concern over the sharp rise in operational costs. He explained that the taxes now range from N450,000 to N2.2 million depending on the size and level of the institution. This is a dramatic increase from the previous annual fee of N30,000. According to Grahams, the current tax regime is crippling private schools, with many institutions already being forced to close their doors.

The taxation structure has also become more complicated. Private schools now face separate levies for early childhood, primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary levels. Grahams stated that this excessive burden suggests a deliberate attempt by the government to stifle private education in the state, leaving parents and children with fewer educational options.

Supporting these concerns, Dr. Ejiofor Godwin, a member of the Enugu State Education Stakeholders group and President of PAPS South East, highlighted the negative impact on education quality. He argued that rather than enhancing educational standards, these heavy taxes only serve to burden private school owners. Godwin called on the government to recognize the significant contributions private schools make to the state’s internally generated revenue and to provide support rather than hindrance.

In defense of the private school owners, legal counsel Barrister Ogbuka JMCC cited Section 18 of the Nigerian Constitution, which provides for free, compulsory education. He argued that imposing taxes on private schools contradicts this constitutional provision and declared the taxes “null and void.”

This growing unrest among private school owners in Enugu reflects a broader tension between educational institutions and government policies, with many calling for urgent reforms to avoid further school closures and the negative impact on students’ education.