Tinubu Abolishes 5% Excise Duty on Telecom Services

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has scrapped the five per cent excise duty previously imposed on telecommunications services, in a move aimed at reducing cost pressures on millions of subscribers across the country.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, confirmed the development while addressing journalists on the Commission’s ongoing regulatory initiatives.

According to him, the removal of the levy is part of President Tinubu’s broader tax reforms under the new tax laws, designed to stimulate economic growth and improve affordability of essential services.

“This bold step by Mr. President will go a long way in easing the financial burden on telecom subscribers while also encouraging greater digital inclusion,” Maida stated.

Industry stakeholders had long criticized the excise duty, warning that it would increase the cost of calls, data, and other telecom services, thereby stifling Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy. The Tinubu administration’s decision has therefore been widely welcomed as a pro-people reform that aligns with the government’s promise to create a more business-friendly environment.

With over 220 million active telephone lines and a fast-rising internet penetration rate, Nigeria’s telecom sector is one of the largest in Africa and a key driver of economic development. The removal of the excise duty is expected to further boost access, innovation, and investment in the industry.