General News
Nigerians to Pay More on Calls, Data In 2023
The 160 million mobile phone users in the country, are expected to pay more on calls and data in 2023 as the federal government infused 5 per cent excise duty on telecoms services in the 2022 Finance Bill before the National Assembly.
The federal government had mooted such idea, earlier in the year, but suspended it after much outcry only to now resurface in the 2022 Finance Bill currently before the National Assembly(NASS) for passage into an Act.
The bill, when it becomes law, is expected to be a working tool for the economy in 2023.
Investigation revealed that inclusion of this tax is a continuation of the federal government aggressive move to generate more revenue through tax to finance 2023 national budget.
This development, however, did not go down well with Telecoms operators who said, they will pass on the new tax down to consumers, even as the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has threatened to take federal government to court next week, if it fails to step down the proposed 5 per cent telecoms services tax in the 2022 Finance Bill.
A document titled ‘Invitation to a One Day Public Hearing and Submission of Memoranda on the 2022 Finance Bill,’ released by the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, revealed that, telecommunication services provided in Nigeria shall be charged with duties of excise at the rates specified under the duty column in the Schedule as the President may by Order prescribe pursuant to Section 13 of this Act.
The document stated that, the reason for the excise duty was to increase revenue generation/tax administration.
Although, the said document did not specify the rate at which the excise duty would be charged, investigation revealed that the duty is 5 per cent.
If passed into law, the telecommunication operators, under the aegis of the Association of Licenced Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), reiterated that the cost will be passed on to Nigerians, as operators cannot bear the cost alone.
The head, operations at Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbolahan Awonuga said,, it is sad to know that despite the plea from different stakeholders in the ICT sector, the federal government still insisted on imposing excise duty on telecoms services after it was suspended.
This will definitely compel operators to adjust the rates of calls and data upward, as they cannot bear the cost alone, Awonuga added.
He revealed that, since 2003, operators didn’t review the tariff, not because it has been all great, (like other sectors, telecommunication industry was financially impacted following Nigeria’s economic recession in 2020), but because, they didn’t want to add unnecessary financial burden on Nigerians.
The head of operations, ALTON further explained that most telecoms operators don’t rely on the national grid to power their towers, adding that, the cost of diesel required to power operators’ Towers, Base Stations and offices rose by a staggering 233 per cent from N225 per litre in January 2022 to over N750 per litre in December 2022.
“Additionally, the introduction of new lines of fiscal obligations via the Excise Duty of 5 per cent on telecommunications services further exacerbates the burden of multiple taxes and levies in the sector,” he added.
These and many other reasons, justify why telecoms operators will increase voice and SMS tariff, if the federal government insists on the five per cent excise duty on telecoms services, Awonuga averred.
Recalling that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has, in October 2022, asked all telecommunications services providers to reverse the upward tariff adjustments for some voice and data services, Awonuga said, it will be a joke, if the Commission restricts operators from increasing call tariff, once the five per cent excise duty is passed into law. “It means NCC wants to destroy the industry,” he stated.
He, however, called on Nigerians to kick against the five per cent excise duty, as they will be mostly affected. “Operators cannot absorb all the cost, as they will have to pass some of it on the consumers, to remain in business,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the national president, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo said, the association will be left with no other option than to take the federal government to court if it decided to implement the five per cent excise duty on telecoms services.
Ogunbanjo said, there are 39 other taxes that the Telecoms sector is paying to the federal government, states government and local government, but the majority of the tax go to the pocket of the federal government.
Adding more tax to the sector is so insensitive on the part of the federal government, NATCOMS’ president said, adding that, telecoms subscribers would resist the new tax regime, because of its grievous implications on subscribers and the telecoms sector.
He stated that the minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami kicked against the five per cent excise duty, other agencies like the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and NATCOMS also condemned the five per cent excise duty on telecommunications services.
It is sad that the ministry of finance did not listen to our plea and cry, Ogunbanjo said, adding that, “We are left with no other option than to go to court. By first week of January, 2023, we are going to court.”
He however appealed to the father figure of president Muhammadu Buhari and the mother figure of the minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, to reconsider their decision.
Nigeria’s startup ecosystem received a fresh injection of momentum as top emerging ventures secured funding and investor attention at the iHatch National Demo Day, where Interface Africa clinched the highest prize of $15,000.
The 4th cohort of the NITDA–JICA-backed accelerator brought together founders, policymakers, and venture stakeholders in Abuja, showcasing innovations ranging from clean-energy financing and digital food marketplaces to next-gen fintech tools.
The startups went rounds of running through state-level selections and regional competition. iHatch was established in 2021 as a strategic partnership to create an enabling environment for young Nigerians to develop and scale their innovative solutions.
The iHatch National Demo Day (4th Cohort), is an initiative by NITDA and JICA which provides a clear pathway for homegrown talent to contribute significantly to economic diversification and digital transformation.
After rigorous selection processes, the top founders converged to pitch their innovations, recognised the standout performers, which are:
Interface Africa with $15,000, the firm is driving Nigeria’s clean energy transition by enabling structured and affordable solar financing.
Ahioma with $12,000, the firm enhances food accessibility with a digital marketplace connecting consumers directly to trusted vendors.
Linia Finance with $10,000, the firm is helping Nigerians take control of their finances with tools for budgeting, tracking, and smart money planning.
Chapta got a laptop reward. They delivering an offline-capable school application ensuring consistent, accessible learning for students everywhere.
Softdrop also got a laptop reward, they solve logistics challenges through a modern delivery platform designed for speed, convenience, and efficiency.
Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution, will host a free virtual training on the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 (NTA) as part of its commitment to helping small businesses prepare for the upcoming legislation.
Fidelity Bank
The masterclass is scheduled for 10:00 AM (Nigerian time) on Friday, 12 December 2025. It will provide participants with clear insights into changes in the tax framework, the impact on income and business operations, and practical steps to avoid penalties in 2026.
Attendees will also learn strategies to stay ahead in an evolving regulatory environment.
The Nigerian government enacted major tax reforms on 26 June 2025 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed four tax bills into law.
These Acts will take effect on 1 January 2026 and represent a significant overhaul of the country’s tax system.
The reforms aim to modernize and harmonize Nigeria’s tax framework, improve revenue generation, broaden the tax base, and create clearer rules for individuals, businesses, and government agencies.
“Our decision to host this masterclass reflects our commitment to empowering businesses with the right information ahead of the commencement of the new tax regime.
“Information is money and a well-informed business owner is already steps ahead in the race to success.
“This is why we are bringing experts to provide accurate details and demystify the tax act,” said Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc.
Interested participants can register via https://bit.ly/2026TaxLawMasterclass .
PalmPay, Nigeria’s leading digital banking platform, has renewed its commitment to deepening financial inclusion across the country. At the CeBIH Annual Conference 2025, themed “Reimagining Financial Inclusion through Cultural Shifts in Consumer Credit,” PalmPay’s Managing Director, Chika Nwosu, urged industry players to deepen financial inclusion by embracing community-aligned solutions and customer-centric innovations that can better serve Nigeria’s underserved and unbanked populations.
Speaking during a panel session titled “Social Inclusion, A Veritable Tool for Financial Inclusion,” Chika Nwosu joined other industry leaders to share insights on strengthening participation among women, rural dwellers, low-income earners, and other financially excluded groups.
Chika Nwosu highlighted PalmPay’s commitment to inclusive finance through its 500,000-strong agent network, which enables seamless cash-in/cash-out services for unbanked users across Nigeria. He also emphasised the importance of PalmPay’s USSD platform, 861#, which allows users with basic phones or limited internet access to perform essential financial transactions.
“Financial inclusion goes beyond access; it must be equitable and tailored to real-life needs,” Chika Nwosu said. He shared how PalmPay leverages behavioural insights to design impactful services, including affordable health insurance, reliable bill payments, merchant solutions, and automated savings features that support financial discipline among users.
The session further examined the role of grassroots agents and community touchpoints in driving last-mile adoption. Chika Nwosu noted that PalmPay’s widespread community presence continues to build trust and encourage excluded populations to embrace digital financial tools.
The session was moderated by Ronke Kuye of the CeBIH Advisory Council and featured representatives from E-Doc Online, SmartCash Payment Service Bank, SANEF, and EFINA.
PalmPay reaffirmed its commitment to driving accessible, secure, and inclusive financial services for all Nigerians. PalmPay is a leading digital banking platform driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment in underserved emerging markets. Through its secure, user-friendly, and inclusive suite of financial services, PalmPay empowers individuals and businesses with tools to manage and grow their money.
PalmPay offers a comprehensive range of products, including mobile payments, savings, and micro-insurance via its app and mobile money agent network.
Since launching in Nigeria in 2019 under a Mobile Money Operator license, the platform has grown to over 35 million app users. PalmPay has operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Bangladesh.
NCC Blocks Piracy Sites as Nollywood Faces Rising Digital Theft
Minister Claims Bandits Exploit Poor Network, Bounce Calls Off Multiple Towers
FIRS says MOU with DGFIP Won’t Compromise Nigeria Tax Data Sovereignty
Top Nigerian Startups Secure Funding Boost @ iHatch Demo Day Awards
Four Must-Watch African Films Debut Free on Glo TV
Kaspersky Introduces Cyber Pathways to Support Career Development in Cybersecurity
Firm Urges Organizations to Check Protection of their Websites Amid Search Engine Optimisation Attack Schemes
FCCPC Sets Deadline for Digital Lending Regulatory Compliance
Hackers Breach Phones of Dangote and Otedola, Demand Ransom
Nigeria Records Highest Weekly Cyberattacks in Africa — Report
Telecom3 days agoAirtel Africa Foundation Opens Undergraduate Scholarship Portal in Nigeria
E-Financial3 days agoEcobank Nigeria to Fully Repay $300m Eurobond Ahead of Schedule
Broadcasting3 days agoCKay’s “Love Nwantiti” Crosses Billion-Stream Mark on Spotify
Telecom3 days agoYouTube Nigeria Unveils 2025’s Top Lists and Launches New YouTube Recap Feature
E-Financial3 days agoReps Give Banks Four-Day Ultimatum on Tax Deductions, Charges
General News3 days agoPalmPay MD Seeks Deeper Financial Inclusion @ CeBIH Annual Conference 2025
Telecom2 days agoMTN Nigeria Launches Unlimited 5G Broadband Plans to Boost Digital Inclusion
General News3 days agoAI-Powered Fraud Drives Global Race for Deepfake Defenses