The controversial 5% telecom excise duty has been halted twice in recent years, leading to a debate on whether former President Muhammadu Buhari or President Bola Tinubu should be acknowledged for the policy’s cancellation.
Buhari’s Era: Pantami Leads Opposition
The first attempt to introduce the levy came in 2022. Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, who was serving as Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, opposed the proposal and secured Buhari’s approval to strike it out. This was a relief to telecom subscribers and operators alike.
Lawmakers Attempt Revival in 2024
Despite earlier resistance, the same excise duty found its way back into the 2024 tax reform drafts being debated in the National Assembly. Telecom users braced for tougher times, fearing higher costs for data and voice services.
Tinubu’s Intervention Brings Closure
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, explained during a media session that Tinubu ensured the tax did not make it into the final legislation. His stance reaffirmed government’s commitment to keeping telecom services affordable.
While Pantami and Buhari deserve recognition for their initial opposition, it was Tinubu who delivered the final blow against the reintroduced levy. Collectively, both administrations safeguarded Nigerian telecom consumers from unnecessary taxation.