By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, announced on Tuesday that the previously suspended 5% excise duty on telecommunications services has been completely scrapped by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking at an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, Maida revealed he was present when the issue was raised with the President, who firmly rejected the tax.
“He said, ‘No, no, no, we cannot put this on Nigerians’,” Maida recounted. “I was very pleased when the bills came out and we saw his words were followed through.”
The contentious duty, part of a broader tax reform bill, had faced strong public opposition since its introduction in 2022, leading to its suspension by President Tinubu in July 2023.
Its full removal is now expected to ease financial pressure on subscribers and support wider growth in the crucial sector.