The Federal Government has scrapped the 5% excise duty on telecommunications services, offering relief to millions of Nigerians who depend on mobile calls and internet data.

 

The development was announced on Thursday in a statement posted on X by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

 

The levy, introduced under former President Muhammadu Buhari, applied to both voice calls and data services, but had faced widespread criticism from telecom operators and consumer advocates, who argued it would worsen the financial strain on citizens.

 

Confirming the policy reversal, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, said President Bola Tinubu directed the removal of the levy during discussions on the recently signed Finance Act.

 

“This is a clear signal that the government is listening to the concerns of Nigerians and is committed to making communication more affordable,” Maida said.

 

Industry stakeholders are expected to adjust billing structures in the coming weeks to reflect the removal of the tax.