ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Lagos State Government has dismissed claims that it introduced a ₦20,000 education tax for parents seeking admission for their children into public schools, maintaining that education remains free across the state.
The clarification was given on Monday by the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District II, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Omotayo Sanni, during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Zumratul Islamiyyah Smart Primary School in Igbogbo, Ikorodu.
Sanni was responding to concerns raised by former Minister of Works, Adeseye Ogunlewe, who appealed to the government not to introduce what he described as an education tax.
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Ogunlewe said, “You said we should be paying education tax. We don’t want it. It’s free education that we want. You said it should be N20,000. We don’t have it.”
Also addressing the gathering, former Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Chief Asipa Olusanya, urged the government to preserve its free education policy, warning that any form of levy could increase the number of out-of-school children.
He said, “Let’s make education free. You may think that N20,000 education levy is small, but some families cannot raise N20,000. They even find it very hard to eat. And if you don’t remove that tax, it will increase the number of out-of-school children.”
In response, Sanni dismissed the allegation, insisting that no education tax exists in Lagos State.
He explained that parents are only required to present their tax clearance certificates during school registration as part of the state’s administrative requirements and not as a condition for paying school fees.
The permanent secretary said, “There is nothing like education tax in Lagos State. One of the civic responsibilities of every citizen is to pay tax, and all over the world, tax is one of the sources of revenue used to finance government activities.
“One thing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu does not joke with is free education and access to education that leaves no child behind.
“It is just that once you have your tax certificate, which is expected of you, and you present it at the point of registering your child, you will register and they will not ask you to pay any money. For everybody to benefit from social services, you must pay tax.”
Sanni also praised the Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area for initiating the smart school project, describing it as a significant investment in the future of children.
He said, “What you are about to do is a greater giant step. You are capturing our children’s minds and positioning them for 21st-century skills that will enable them to compete with children across the world. You are sowing the seed of greatness.”
Also speaking at the event, the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Babajimi Benson, pledged continued collaboration to expand access to quality education across the constituency.
The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, Oba Abdulsemiu Kasali, commended the council chairman for the initiative and expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for supporting developmental projects in the area.
Earlier, the Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Hammed Aroyewun, said the project is designed to equip pupils with digital and technological skills from an early age.
According to him, the two-year project will deliver a 30-classroom smart primary school that integrates technology, creativity and sustainability to prepare pupils for the future.
The groundbreaking ceremony also formed part of activities marking Aroyewun’s first year in office.