The proposed implementation of the proposed five percent (5%) tax on telecommunications services: calls, SMS, and data has been suspended by the Federal Government.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, on Monday, said this during the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Committee on Excise Duty for the Digital Economy Sector in Abuja.
The Minister said the telecommunications sector was already overburdened by excessive and multiple taxations.
Pantami has continued to maintain that he is against the implementation of this tax, which would increase the cost of telecommunication services for Nigerians.
Prior to this, Nigeria’s Finance Ministry had insisted that the country was in a financial crisis and needed a way out.
However, TechEconomy, in its report a few weeks ago, suggested that the Minister of Finance should not reverse the changes made under the Nigeria National Digital Economy Policy, which has committed the current administration to create an enabling environment for the private sector to contribute innovative solutions to allow consumers to benefit from Information Communication Technology (ICT) advancements.
Also, the Budget Office of the Federation had earlier revealed that it would begin the implementation of its proposed excise duties on telecommunication services and beverages in 2023.