The Federal Government has announced the removal of the 5% excise tax on telecommunications services, a decision expected to ease financial burdens on millions of Nigerians who rely heavily on voice and data services.
According to a press release issued on Thursday on X by the National Orientation Agency, the tax, which was introduced under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, had applied to both calls and internet usage but faced strong resistance from industry stakeholders and consumer rights groups.
Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), confirmed that President Bola Tinubu ordered the revocation of the levy during discussions on the recently passed Finance Act. “The directive came directly from President Tinubu to ensure that Nigerians are not further burdened at a time of economic pressure,” Maida disclosed in the release.
The government’s decision comes as significant relief to the nation’s 171 million active telecom subscribers, many of whom have already been grappling with higher tariffs, following a 50% increase earlier this year. The removal is expected to lower costs, encourage wider access to digital services, and strengthen consumer confidence in the sector.
Industry experts have welcomed the move, noting that the tax had threatened affordability and risked slowing down Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy. The NCC also assured that it would continue working with stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of the removal are fully passed on to consumers.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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