By Adenike Lawal
The Federal Government has scrapped the 5% excise duty on voice and data services in a bid to ease the financial burden on telecom subscribers.
Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, said President Bola Tinubu ordered the removal during deliberations on the recently enacted Finance Act.
The levy, introduced under former President Muhammadu Buhari, had drawn criticism from telecom operators, consumer groups, and economists, who warned it would worsen the cost-of-living crisis. It applied to calls and data usage, affecting over 171 million active mobile users.
The reversal is expected to provide relief for households and businesses, especially after the nearly 50% hike in telecom tariffs earlier this year.
Analysts view the move as part of the Tinubu administration’s broader tax reforms to prioritize consumer welfare and improve Nigeria’s business climate.
