Despite Opposition, FG Set to Implement 5 Per Cent Hike on Data, Voice Calls - Newstrends
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Despite Opposition, FG Set to Implement 5 Per Cent Hike on Data, Voice Calls

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Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed

*Finance Minister faults Pantami on new tax

Despite opposition by various stakeholders, including the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, the federal government has declared its readiness to implement the five per cent hike in tariff on data and voice calls.

Owing to this, it has directed telecommunications operators to henceforth effect the new tariff and remit to the government before the 21st of every month.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed who gave the directive yesterday, also faulted her Communications and Digital Economy counterpart for claiming ignorance of the new tariff hike.

In a statement issued by her Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, the finance minister announced that the government would commence the implementation of the new tax regime on all voice calls, short message services (SMSs) and data services, in addition to the existing 7.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) paid for goods and services across all sectors of the economy.

The statement said the minister made the disclosure on the five per cent excise duty during a stakeholders’ meeting, organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator.

It pointed out that at the meeting, Ahmed, who was represented by the Assistant Director, Tax Policy, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Musa Umar, noted: “The five per cent excise duty has been in the Finance Act 2020, but has never been implemented.
“Henceforth, the five per cent excise duty will be collected by telecom operators and payment made to the federal government on a monthly basis, on or before 21st of every month.”

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Reacting to Pantami’s recent position that he was not carried along on the new tariff regime, Ahmed said her counterpart could not claim ignorance of the policy.
She said it was worth noting that there was a circular indicating the planned hike, which was addressed to the communication minister and other relevant ministries and agencies of government via a circular referenced No. F. 17417/VI/286 dated March 1, 2022, and titled “Approval for Implementation of the 2022 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments.”

The statement added: “Against the comments by Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, Honourable Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, concerning the five per cent excise duty hike on telecoms services, it is worth noting that there was a circular stating the planned hike which was addressed to the communication minister and other relevant ministries and agencies of government.

“The circular referenced No. F. 17417/VI/286 dated 1st March 2022, and titled “Approval for Implementation of the 2022 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments” was addressed to different Ministers, including Honourable Minister, Communications and Digital Economy and other heads of government agencies.

“The circular was addressed to The Secretary to The Government of The Federation, Attorney-General of The Federation, Ministers of Industry, Trade an Investment, Agriculture and Rural development, Mines and Steel and Development.

“Others are Ministers of Health, Aviation, Information And Culture, Budget And National Planning. Other heads of agencies copied in the circular are Accountant-General of the Federation, Comptroller-General of Customs, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council.
“Others are the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission.”

Reinforcing her position, Ahmed said with the aforementioned reference, it therefore, meant that all stakeholders had by that singular provision been aware of the Act.
According to her, the excise duty on telecommunication services provided in Nigeria introduced through the Finance Act, 2020 with statutory enactment on January 1, 2021 is yet to be implemented till date.

She added that this was considering the need to ensure reasonable transition period before the implementation of the new tax, as well as providing clarity to all stakeholders on implementation modalities.

Pantami had recently expressed dissatisfaction with efforts by the federal government to introduce the five per cent  excise duty on telecommunication services.

Speaking at the maiden edition of the Nigerian Telecommunications Indigenous Content EXPO (NTICE) themed ‘Stimulating the development of Indigenous Content through innovation and commercialisation’  in Lagos, he had stressed the need for the government and stakeholders to continue to support the sector, and not unnecessarily burden.

Pantami had said he would explore every legitimate means to stop the planned five per cent excise duty on telecoms consumers, faulting the timing and process of imposing the tax on the industry.

According to him, part of the responsibility of a responsive government was not to increase the challenges that citizens were facing.

“The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy is not satisfied with any effort to introduce excise duty on Telecommunications. When VAT was increased to 7.5 per cent, I was not consulted.

” I only heard the announcement and I think there is something questionable and I am glad that we are on the same page with our National Assembly members.

“They too have not been consulted despite the fact that they are part of the committee,” the minister reportedly said.

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FRSC, NADDC, SON to Lead Talks on Safe EV, CNG Rollout at NAJA Auto Summit

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FRSC, NADDC, SON To Lead Talks on Safe EV, CNG Rollout at NAJA Auto Summit

FRSC, NADDC, SON to Lead Talks on Safe EV, CNG Rollout at NAJA Auto Summit

Nigeria’s push towards cleaner transportation will receive a major boost on July 30, 2026 as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin; the Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, and the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, headline the 3rd Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Auto Summit with strategic presentations aimed at charting a safe and sustainable roadmap for Nigeria’s electric vehicle (EV) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) revolution.

The summit, scheduled to hold at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, is themed: “Nigeria’s Clean Mobility Future: The EV and CNG Journey Under the Bola Tinubu Administration.”

It is expected to assemble senior government officials, automotive industry leaders, manufacturers, energy experts, investors, regulators and transport stakeholders to assess Nigeria’s progress in clean mobility and outline practical steps for accelerating the transition.

At the centre of the discussions will be the FRSC Corps Marshal, who is expected to unveil a comprehensive safety framework for the deployment of EVs and CNG-powered vehicles across the country.

His presentation will address critical issues such as vehicle certification, roadworthiness standards, emergency response procedures, accident prevention, technician capacity building and public enlightenment, all of which are considered essential to ensuring the safe adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles on Nigerian roads.

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NADDC Director-General Osanipin will in his keynote examine the future of Nigeria’s automotive industry within the Federal Government’s clean mobility agenda, highlighting policy direction, industrial growth opportunities and the role of local manufacturing in driving the country’s transition to cleaner transportation.

Also taking the stage, SON Director-General Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke will speak on the development and enforcement of national standards for electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, batteries, CNG conversion kits, cylinders and refuelling stations. He is also expected to outline measures to eliminate substandard components from the market while strengthening consumer protection and confidence.

Complementing the safety discussions, Federal Fire Service Controller-General Olumode Samuel Adeyemi will focus on emergency preparedness for the emerging clean-energy transport ecosystem.

His presentation will centre on developing national response protocols for EV and CNG-related incidents and equipping firefighters and other first responders with the specialised skills required to manage such emergencies.

Speaking ahead of the summit, Chairman of the Summit Organising Committee, Rasheed Bisiriyu, described this year’s edition as one of the most significant gatherings of stakeholders in Nigeria’s automotive industry, coming at a time when the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to reduce dependence on petrol and diesel through the promotion of CNG and electric vehicles.

According to him, the summit will serve as a strategic platform to review progress made under the Bola Tinubu administration, identify implementation bottlenecks and develop practical recommendations for accelerating the nationwide adoption of clean mobility technologies.

“The NAJA Auto Summit has evolved into a respected platform where policymakers and industry operators engage in constructive dialogue on issues affecting the automotive sector. This year’s theme reflects one of the most significant transitions taking place in Nigeria’s transport industry today,” Bisiriyu said.

He added that discussions would extend beyond government policies to include investment opportunities, infrastructure expansion, financing models, consumer awareness and the regulatory framework required to support the large-scale deployment of EVs and CNG-powered vehicles.

NAJA Chairman, Theodore Opara, said the summit comes at a defining moment as Nigeria seeks cleaner, more affordable and sustainable transportation alternatives amid rising mobility costs.

While acknowledging the country’s steady progress towards clean mobility, Opara stressed that long-term success would depend on stronger collaboration among government agencies, vehicle manufacturers, infrastructure developers, energy providers and consumers.

He noted that Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves position CNG as a viable transition fuel but warned that significant investments would still be required to expand refuelling stations, EV charging infrastructure and technical support services nationwide.

He also emphasised that safety regulation, maintenance capacity and sustained public education must keep pace with the rapid deployment of cleaner vehicle technologies to ensure a seamless transition.

Industry stakeholders believe the combined presentations by the FRSC, NADDC, SON and the Federal Fire Service will provide a comprehensive blueprint for addressing safety, quality assurance, emergency preparedness and regulatory concerns surrounding EVs and CNG-powered vehicles.

The summit is expected to produce actionable recommendations that will guide policymakers, regulators, investors and industry operators as Nigeria accelerates its journey towards a cleaner, safer, more efficient and environmentally sustainable transportation system.

 

FRSC, NADDC, SON To Lead Talks on Safe EV, CNG Rollout at NAJA Auto Summit

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Winpart by CFAO, Energy Switch seal partnership to expand premium Motul lubricant network

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Winpart by CFAO, Energy Switch seal partnership to expand premium Motul lubricant network

Winpart by CFAO, Energy Switch seal partnership to expand premium Motul lubricant network

Global lubricant giant Motul has teamed up with Winpart by CFAO, the aftermarket division of CFAO Mobility Nigeria, and leading fuel retailer, Energy Switch, to strengthen access to genuine, high-performance automotive lubricants in Nigeria.

They have so far unveiled branded retail outlets across eight strategically located filling stations in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The initiative, unveiled in Lagos, is aimed at making authentic Motul lubricants more readily available to motorists, while tackling the growing menace of counterfeit automotive products and delivering a more seamless, one-stop vehicle maintenance experience through Energy Switch’s retail network.

This partnership marks a major milestone in the companies’ drive to improve vehicle maintenance standards, enhance consumer confidence, and provide Nigerian motorists with convenient access to globally trusted lubricants alongside their routine fuel purchases.

The branded stations will serve as trusted points of sale for genuine Motul lubricants, enabling customers to purchase premium products alongside their regular fueling needs.

Speaking during the official press conference held at the CFAO Mobility head office in Victoria Island, Lagos, General Manager, Winpart by CFAO, Eric Fantodji, described the initiative as a major step towards bringing world-class automotive solutions closer to consumers.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to making high-quality automotive products more accessible to Nigerian motorists.

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“By leveraging Energy Switch’s retail network, we are creating convenient touchpoints where customers can confidently access genuine Motul lubricants and benefit from the performance, protection, and reliability they deliver”, he said.

According to the company, the partnership reinforces the shared commitment of Motul, Winpart by CFAO, and Energy Switch to improve vehicle maintenance standards, promote product authenticity, and deliver enhanced value to motorists.

Through this collaboration, customers will benefit from Improved access to genuine Motul lubricants, Increased consumer confidence through trusted retail outlets, and greater convenience through integrated fuel and lubricant services.

The initiative also addresses the growing need for authentic automotive products in the Nigerian market by providing motorists with verified points of purchase and reducing the risks associated with counterfeit lubricants.

Managing Director, Energyswitch Allied Oil Services Limited, Mr. Olugbenga Adediwin, noted that the collaboration aligns with the company’s vision of offering customers a comprehensive automotive service experience beyond fuel retail.

“Our partnership with Motul and CFAO Mobility allows us to enhance customer value by providing access to globally trusted lubricants within our stations. This is an important step in improving the overall experience for motorists.”

The successful branding of the eight stations represents the first phase of the collaboration, with plans to explore additional opportunities to expand the model to other locations and markets.

As Nigeria’s automotive sector continues to evolve, Motul, Winpart by CFAO, and Energyswitch remain committed to delivering innovative solutions that drive performance, accessibility, and customer satisfaction.

 

Winpart by CFAO, Energy Switch seal partnership to expand premium Motul lubricant network

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Dangote Announces Fresh N50 Petrol Price Reduction, Opens Supply to All Marketers

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Dangote Announces Fresh N50 Petrol Price Reduction, Opens Supply to All Marketers

Dangote Announces Fresh N50 Petrol Price Reduction, Opens Supply to All Marketers

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced another reduction in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, lowering the price from N1,125 to N1,075 per litre in a move expected to intensify competition in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector and drive down retail pump prices.

The latest N50 per litre reduction, representing approximately 4.4 per cent, took effect immediately and marks the refinery’s second petrol price cut within one week, underscoring its strategy of making locally refined fuel more competitive and accessible across the country.

With the latest adjustment, the refinery has now reduced its ex-depot petrol price by N100 per litre in just one week, having earlier cut the price from N1,175 to N1,125 per litre.

Industry stakeholders believe the fresh price reduction is likely to compel petroleum marketers sourcing products from the refinery to lower pump prices, offering relief to motorists and businesses grappling with high transportation and operating costs.

In another significant policy shift, the refinery has harmonised its coastal loading price with its ex-gantry price, fixing both at N1,075 per litre. The move eliminates the previous pricing disparity between products loaded through coastal terminals and those lifted directly from the refinery’s gantry.

A senior official of the refinery, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed that the revised pricing became effective immediately.

“The refinery has reduced the ex-gantry price of PMS from N1,125 per litre to N1,075 per litre. The coastal loading price has also been adjusted to N1,075 per litre. This is part of the refinery’s efforts to make products more accessible and competitive in the market,” the official said.

The official also disclosed that the refinery had dismantled its 20-member marketers’ consortium, which previously coordinated product lifting from the facility.

According to the source, all qualified marketers are now eligible to purchase petrol directly from the refinery, provided they meet the required operational and regulatory conditions.

“The consortium arrangement has been cancelled. Loading at both the gantry and coastal terminals is now open to all marketers that meet the necessary requirements. The objective is to deepen market access and ensure seamless distribution of products across the country,” the source added.

The revised pricing has also been reflected on petroleum industry monitoring platform Petroleumprice.ng, confirming the new ex-depot price of N1,075 per litre.

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The latest reduction is expected to increase competitive pressure across Nigeria’s deregulated downstream petroleum market, where fuel prices are now largely determined by market forces following the removal of petrol subsidies.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, recently reaffirmed that the era of government-controlled petrol pricing has ended, stressing that competition among suppliers and expanding local refining capacity will ultimately determine fuel prices.

According to the minister, the Federal Government remains committed to strengthening domestic refining to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products, improve energy security and encourage price stability through competition.

Similarly, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has consistently maintained that petrol prices should remain cost-reflective under the deregulated market framework while urging marketers to avoid arbitrary pricing and anti-competitive practices.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has also emphasised that consumers should benefit from lower prices whenever production costs decline or product availability improves.

Energy analysts say Dangote Refinery’s latest pricing decision could trigger another round of downward reviews by independent marketers and fuel importers seeking to remain competitive in the evolving market.

They also note that continued reductions in ex-depot prices could significantly reduce transportation costs, ease inflationary pressures and support economic activities, particularly if global crude oil prices remain stable and exchange rate volatility is contained.

With a refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is expected to play a central role in reshaping Nigeria’s petroleum market by increasing local fuel supply, reducing import dependence and fostering sustained competition among industry players.

The latest price review reinforces the refinery’s aggressive market strategy and signals its determination to leverage local refining capacity to deliver more affordable fuel to Nigerian consumers.

Dangote Announces Fresh N50 Petrol Price Reduction, Opens Supply to All Marketers

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