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FG of Nigeria Scraps 5% Tax on Telecom Services to Ease Pressure of Call and Data Service Costs
The Federal Government of Nigeria has finally scrapped the 5% tax on telecom services. This is great news for millions of Nigerians who use their phones every day to make calls and browse the internet. The FG of Nigeria scrapped this tax to help ease the pressure of call and data service costs, making it cheaper for people to stay connected.
This 5% excise duty on telecom services was first introduced back in 2022. Many Nigerians and groups complained that it made phone calls and data more expensive. Because of these worries, the tax was suspended in July 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Now, the FG of Nigeria scrapped the tax completely, so it will no longer come back to increase our phone bills.
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Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), spoke about this good move. He said this decision will help the telecom industry grow and make it easier for everyone to afford phone services. He shared a story of when the president refused to allow the tax to stay. He said, “No, no, no, we cannot put this on Nigerians.” It was a proud moment for many Nigerians who want fair and affordable phone services.
By removing this tax, the government is making sure that voice calls and data services won’t become more expensive. When you recharge your phone or buy data, you will now get more value for your money. This means talking on the phone or browsing the internet becomes cheaper and faster. This is a big relief for families, students, and business owners who depend on their phones every day.
The FG of Nigeria scrapped tax on telecom services also because they knew it would help the economy. When more people can afford phone services, communication improves, and businesses can grow. It also helps more Nigerians join the digital world and use online services like banking, learning, and shopping.
Besides removing the tax, the NCC is working hard to protect phone users. Dr. Maida explained that the commission wants to make sure people know which network is best by sharing information about download speeds and service quality starting in September. This will help you choose the right network in your area and get the best service.
The NCC, together with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is also fixing problems with phone recharge. Some people complained that their airtime or data disappeared without good reason. After checking, experts found that it wasn’t a problem with the phone companies. Instead, things like apps running in the background or phone settings were the cause. Now, they want to help people understand how to use their data better.
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Other important improvements are happening too. The NCC finished checking all phone numbers with the national ID system (NIN) to make sure everything is safe and correct. They also worked to solve issues about USSD codes, now use clearer billing, and created a way for users to report problems faster, called the Major Incident Reporting Portal.
The FG of Nigeria scrapped the 5% tax on telecom services to make life easier for Nigerians. This means no sudden increases in call and data prices because of taxes. Phone users will have more affordable communication, making it easier to keep in touch with family, study, work, and do business. This is a big win for everyone who uses telecom services in Nigeria.
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