The Ekiti State government has imposed a levy of N5 million registration fee on private universities operating in the state which is renewable with N750, 000 annually.
Besides, intending owners of private polytechnics and colleges of education are to part with a registration fee of N2.5 million and an annual renewable fee of N500,000.
Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye, disclosed this to journalists yesterday after the state executive council meeting.
The new policy is expected to affect private tertiary institutions like Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Crawford University, Oye-Ekiti campus and Crown Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti.
Afuye revealed that the new tax regime imposed on operators of private tertiary institutions was consequent upon a memoranda presented to the state executive council by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Eniola Ajayi.
The memoranda, he said, was intended to incorporate the private sector into the development plan of the state.
The Information Commissioner noted that private investors have important roles to play in the development of the state urging them to see payment of taxes as part of the social responsibility commitments.
Afuye added that the state government has revised the 2011 Appropriation Law to make it more effective and realizable.
He disclosed further that arrangements have been concluded to forward Supplementary Budget to the House of Assembly for consideration and approval.
The commissioner also revealed that the state is working out an agreement with the Government of Brazil in the area of industrialization through the Nigeria-Brazil Chambers of Commerce.
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