The Federal Government has abolished the 5% excise duty on telecommunications services, including voice calls and data subscriptions.
The National Orientation Agency announced the decision in a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), confirmed that President Bola Tinubu directed the removal of the tax during discussions on the recently signed Finance Act.
Maida explained that the President’s action aims to reduce the financial burden on millions of subscribers.
He added that the decision supports Nigeria’s drive toward building a stronger digital economy.
“This move will bring relief to more than 171 million active telecom users in the country, many of whom had already endured a 50% tariff increase earlier in the year,” he stated.
The excise duty, first introduced in 2022 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, had been heavily criticised by consumer groups and telecom operators.
They argued that it would worsen economic hardship at a time of rising inflation.
Telecom operators, under the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), also described the policy as harmful to the sector.
They warned that it would stifle growth, noting that Nigeria already carries one of the heaviest telecom tax burdens in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Buhari administration, however, defended the levy, claiming it was part of global best practices and necessary to boost government revenue amid falling oil income.
By scrapping the tax, Tinubu’s government signals a shift toward policies that prioritise citizens’ welfare and encourage digital growth over heavy taxation.
For telecom users, the decision represents long-awaited relief from extra charges.