In a move aimed at alleviating the financial strain caused by the ongoing economic challenges, the Kwara State Government has granted a three-month tax holiday to workers across the state.
This announcement was made by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, during a courtesy visit by the Joint Committee of Colleges of Education to her office in Ilorin, the state capital.
As per a statement issued by the ministry’s Press Secretary, Omotayo Ayanda, the commissioner reaffirmed Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s strong commitment to enhancing the welfare of workers, particularly in the education sector.
She highlighted that the recent approval of this tax relief reflects the governor’s attentiveness to the financial struggles faced by Nigerians nationwide.
“The governor is a leader who listens and prioritizes the welfare of workers. He is well aware of the challenges Nigerians are facing, and that’s why he approved this three-month tax break for all state workers,” Modibbo-Kawu stated.
“This important decision is aimed at easing the economic burden on workers, particularly in light of inflation and the new minimum wage implementation,” she continued. “It reflects the governor’s deep concern for the working class and his commitment to improving the quality of life for civil servants and their families. This tax holiday is just one of the many people-oriented policies under his leadership.”
Modibbo-Kawu also assured the visiting delegation that the ministry would address any concerns regarding the implementation of the tax relief, particularly in the tertiary education sector. She emphasized that the governor is dedicated to ensuring fairness and inclusivity in policy execution.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Grillo Kikelomo, commended the governor for his thoughtful move, noting that the tax holiday—granted through an executive order—would help cushion the effects of the economic downturn on civil servants, including those in the education sector.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Provost of the Kwara State College of Education, Oro, Prof. Aremu Mukaila, expressed gratitude for the governor’s continued support of the state’s Colleges of Education. He praised the administration’s responsiveness to the sector’s needs, including course accreditations, prompt salary payments, and resolution of operational challenges.
“Governor AbdulRazaq has shown exceptional leadership by consistently addressing our challenges. His support has empowered us to demand greater accountability and dedication from our staff,” said Aremu.
However, Aremu raised concerns regarding the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax deductions that had already been remitted to the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS). He noted that there was growing unrest among union members, who were questioning why the Colleges of Education seemed to be excluded from the executive tax relief granted to other state workers.
“The union is putting significant pressure on our institutions’ leadership, even threatening a strike,” Aremu added. “We urge the commissioner to intervene quickly to prevent any disruption to academic activities, as this would have a negative impact on our students.”
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