Just-in: FG Scraps 5% Telecom Tax on Voice and Data

The Federal Government has officially scrapped the 5% excise tax on telecommunications services, a decision aimed at alleviating the financial strain on millions of Nigerian mobile users.

The tax, which had applied to both voice calls and data services, was introduced under the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari but quickly became a source of public outcry and industry backlash.

Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the removal of the tax during deliberations surrounding the newly passed Finance Act.

“This move is in line with the president’s commitment to reduce the cost of living and support the digital economy,” Maida stated.

The repeal is expected to benefit Nigeria’s over 171 million active telecom subscribers, many of whom have been grappling with rising costs including a 50% increase in telecom tariffs earlier this year.