The Federal Government has revoked the controversial 5% excise duty on voice and data services, a move that will affect more than 171 million active telecom subscribers across the country.
The decision, confirmed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive during deliberations over the newly passed Finance Act.
Lens News gathered that the excise duty first introduced under the Buhari administration—had been one of the most criticised levies in recent years, with consumer rights groups and telecom operators warning it would stifle growth and make digital access more expensive.
“This is a huge win for Nigerians,” said telecom policy analyst, Tunde Adigun. “At a time when inflation is squeezing households, removing the tax gives people some breathing space.”
The 5% levy was previously applied to every call and internet session, meaning millions were paying more than expected on already rising bills. Its removal is expected to boost data consumption, encourage wider internet access, and support small businesses that rely heavily on mobile services.
Still, experts warn the government now faces a revenue gap. The tax was meant to contribute to non-oil income streams, and with it gone, attention will turn to how Abuja plans to plug the shortfall.
For now, subscribers are celebrating what many describe as the first real relief measure in Nigeria’s telecom sector in years.
