The Federal Government has scrapped the 5% excise tax on telecommunications services, a decision expected to ease cost pressures for millions of Nigerians relying on voice and data services.
The levy, introduced under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, had faced widespread criticism from industry stakeholders and consumer advocates who warned it would worsen the cost of living crisis.
Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, confirmed that President Bola Tinubu ordered the removal of the tax during deliberations on the recently passed Finance Act.
The move will provide relief to over 171 million active telecom users nationwide, many of whom have already been grappling with a 50% tariff hike implemented earlier this year.