The Lagos State government has introduced a compulsory N10,500 tax clearance fee for students in its public secondary schools who are registering for the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
This move comes as part of the state’s new tax initiative, despite WAEC registration traditionally being free.
A source revealed that the state government had already covered the cost of the WAEC registration for these students. However, to complete their registration, SS3 students must pay the N10,500 tax clearance fee.
The fee will apply unless a student can present a tax clearance certificate bearing the same surname as theirs, which can be from the student’s father, mother, or even uncle.
SaharaReporters visited several state-owned schools, including Eletu Odibo Senior High School in Yaba, where SS3 students confirmed the tax clearance fee imposition. While some students expressed concern, they clarified that those with valid tax clearance certificates are exempt from paying the fee.
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One of the students said, “It is true but it is about the student’s surname. The way it works is that if a student presents a tax clearance certificate bearing his or her surname, whether it is from the student’s father, mother or even uncle.
“As long as the clearance certificate bears the surname of the student, the student will not pay the N10,500 but any student who doesn’t have a clearance certificate to present must pay the N10,500 tax clearance.”
When contacted for clarification, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, stated that he was unaware of the development.
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