Tinubu Finally Scraps 5% Telcoms Tax On Voice, Data Services

The Federal Government has finally scrapped the 5% excise duty tax previously imposed on telecommunications services, including voice calls and data usage.

The controversial tax, which applies to both voice calls and data subscriptions, was introduced under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022 faced widespread criticism from both telecom operators and consumer rights groups.

Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, who made this known, said President Bola Tinubu ordered the removal of the tax during discussions on the recently passed Finance Act.

Maida explained that the move is expected to ease cost pressures for millions of mobile users in the country.

The NCC boss added that the President’s intervention was aimed at preventing additional financial strain on citizens while supporting the digital economy.

“The development is expected to bring relief to over 171 million active telecom users across the country, many of whom have faced a 50% tariff increase implemented earlier this year,” he added.

It will be recalled that Telecom operators, under the umbrella of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria had warned that the policy would be counterproductive because Nigeria already had one of the highest tax burdens on the telecommunications sector in sub-Saharan Africa.