The recent demand by Abuja Municipal Area Council’s (AMAC) for a business owner in the area council to pay a N500,000 levy for owning a television set has sparked outrage across AMAC.

Nyesom Wike Minister, Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria

The demand notice, which surfaced online, has triggered widespread criticism and legal challenges over excessive taxation in Nigeria.

The controversy began when AMAC issued a demand notice to Tela Network Ltd, an Abuja-based infotech firm, requiring it to pay N1 million in arrears for 2023 and 2024, a N500,000 fine, and a N500,000 levy for 2025—totaling N2 million.

The notice directed payment to a designated bank within 14 days.

In response, Tela Network Ltd, through its legal representatives, contested the levy, arguing that the company does not engage in radio or television broadcasting and should not be subject to such charges.

The firm requested AMAC to clarify the legal basis for the demand.

AMAC defended its position, citing a 2012 by-law that classifies businesses into tax categories. The council maintained that “Computer Service Generally” falls under Category B, requiring an annual TV/Radio license fee of N1 million.

The levy has drawn sharp criticism from Abuja residents and legal experts. Many describe it as an unfair financial burden, especially in light of Nigeria’s economic struggles.

Residents argue that taxation should be tied to service delivery, questioning why they should pay exorbitant fees for television ownership when public services remain inadequate.

Social media users have also condemned the levy, with many calling it excessive and exploitative.

A legal expert, Iroh, representing Tela Network Ltd, described the law as draconian and suggested it should be challenged in court.

He acknowledged that while AMAC has the authority to make by-laws, the levy’s implementation appears arbitrary and oppressive.

Liborous Oshoma, human rights lawyer criticized the tax, stating that such levies disproportionately affect low-income individuals while the wealthy often evade enforcement. He urged residents to challenge the demand legally.

Efforts to reach Emeka James, spokesperson, AMAC, were unsuccessful, further fueling speculation and frustration among the affected parties.

MTN Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing Nigeria’s future Olympians through the MTN Champs athletics competition, which kicked off its third season today in Benin City, Edo State.

The telecommunications giant aims to revolutionise grassroots sports development in the country, providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and potentially represent Nigeria on the global stage.

Osaze Ebueku, Senior Manager, Go-to-Market at MTN Nigeria, emphasised the company’s long-term vision for the initiative. “Our message from day one has been clear. We’re building future Olympians for Nigeria,” Ebueku stated. He highlighted that MTN Champs is not just about competition, but about changing lives and providing opportunities that many young athletes wouldn’t have had otherwise.

The impact of the program is already evident, with five standout athletes from MTN Champs representing Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This achievement, coming just two years after the program’s inception in 2023, demonstrates the initiative’s effectiveness in fast-tracking talent from grassroots to global competitions.

Season 3 of MTN Champs has attracted 2,056 registered athletes to participate in Benin City alone, according to Bambo Akani, founder and CEO of Making of Champions, MTN’s partner in executing the championship. The competition will span three cities – Benin (March 13-15), Lagos (April 9-12), and Uyo for the Grand Final (April 30-May 3) – with a total of 7,000 athletes expected to participate across all locations.

Osaze Ebueku, Senior Manager, Go To Market at MTN, likened their approach to spotting “rough diamonds” and refining them into world champions. “We are on this journey for the long haul, working with our partners to elevate the standard of athletics in the country,” Ebueku explained.

The initiative has garnered support from state governments, with Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo approving the use of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and providing logistical support for the event. This collaboration underscores the growing recognition of MTN Champs’ potential to transform Nigeria’s athletic landscape.

As the competition unfolds, all eyes will be on the tracks of Benin, Lagos, and Uyo to witness the emergence of Nigeria’s next generation of athletic stars. MTN Champs continues to provide not just a competition, but a comprehensive platform for talent discovery, development, and the realisation of Olympic dreams for young Nigerian athletes.

By Ray Umukoro

A pro-democracy activist and lawyer, Osa Director, has sued MTN Nigeria Plc. In suit No. FHC/L/CS/1413/24 filed at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, the activist vide an originating summons is asking the court to dissolve the board of MTN.

Without prejudice to the outcome of the case now before Justice Deinde Dipeolu, it is important to interrogate the context and motive of the suit, its propriety and relevance. But, first, it must be established that the plaintiff reserves the right to seek and pursue judicial intervention on a matter he deems fit.In this instance, he is accusing the telecommunications giant of industry capture, undue dominance and influence peddling with the calibre of persons it has filled its Board with. In his submission, the MTN Board is populated with men and women with regulatory agency experience and clout. “The board of MTN being occupied by individuals who have a history of regulatory oversight, taxation authority and pensions will undermine the integrity of our various institutions and create room for influence peddling and regulatory capture,” the plaintiff asserts.

For example, he argued that Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, an engineer of repute, who is the current chairman of MTN board was a former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, which was a licensor and chief regulator of MTN.

Also, Mrs. Ifueko Omogui Okauro, another director on the board of MTN was the pioneer Chief Executive of the Federal Inland Revenue between 2004 -2012. Another Board member spotlighted was a former minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, an engineer. The ministry she presided is charged with performing oversight function over MTN. Also, the pioneer Director General and Chief Executive of National Pension Commission, Pencom, Alhaji Mohammad K. Ahmad is on the board of MTN. His argument is that such constituted board gives undue dominance and advantage to MTN. To him, it amounts to influence peddling and industry capture.Among the reliefs sought by the plaintiff are, a declaration that the appointments of the affected officers to the board of MTN contravenes universally acceptable corporate governance practices. He is asking the court to grant an order nullifying their appointments, and a perpetual injunction restraining the affected persons, their servants, agents and or privies from either further appointing or accepting any such appointment.

The plaintiff is also requesting the court to mandate the affected persons to refund benefits, monetary or otherwise already received by them by virtue of their appointments. A cost of N50 million is demanded to be awarded against the defendants. While it is appropriate to leave the court to determine the fate of the afore-listed prayers, it is equally imperative to state the liberties and privileges available to MTN to make appointments into its Board.

First, it must be stressed that MTN Nigeria which is duly listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) has been a market leader since 2001 when the early bird mobile network operators (MNOs) rolled out services. This was many years before the appointment of the ex-regulators as claimed by the plaintiff. Therefore, their appointment cannot equate to ‘market capture’ in a market in which MTN was a clear leader ab initio.

The plaintiff portrays MTN as an unpatriotic entity with a tendency for undercutting competition. This is an unkind cut even as it is an uncharitable assertion to make on a company that showed unwavering confidence in the Nigerian market more than the competition. Nigerians are witnesses to the heavy investments made by MTN from 2001 which also gave it a head-start in the marketplace, amassing more subscribers and acquiring the status of a telco with more national spread.

Needless restating here that as part of its culture of global best practice, MTN has always recruited masterminds, unassailable professionals and technocrats with a pedigree of sterling performance. The cast of Board members listed by the plaintiff fall within the class of professional outliers with a track record of excellence. MTN has not offended any Nigerian law by appointing the best of the lot. It is in tandem with its culture of placing merit above mediocre.

Besides, these men and women have left their past duty posts as regulators and are not known to sit actively on the board of other corporates that are in competition with MTN. It is unfair to criminalise an entity that places premium on excellence.When has it become a sin to hold public office in Nigeria and to hold further offices afterwards? It’s hard to point at any law in Nigeria’s legal jurisprudence that MTN and the defendants violated. There appears here a conflict between law and sentiment. We leave that for the court to adjudicate on.

In the case of Ndukwe, the NCC guidelines for EVCs and Commissioners prescribe three years cooling off period after service before taking up another assignment. Ndukwe exited NCC in February 2010 and did not take up any employment or board appointment until 2018, a good eight years after leaving office.

The same applies to all the other directors listed in the affidavit. They were appointed into public offices after successful careers in the private sector and they returned to their respective private sector endeavors after the few years spent in government assignments. It should be stated that the four person’s stint in government represented less than 20% of their total work experience. So, where is the offence?Anybody with access to the plaintiff’s submissions in his originating summons would think that MTN is a recalcitrant corporate which does not play by the rules. Yet, this is MTN Nigeria that has paid out billions in taxes to Nigeria; the same MTN that has awarded 13, 717 scholarships to 4,949 Nigerian students within 13 years through its Foundation. The same MTN Nigeria that spent about N29 billion in 2024 to deliver primary healthcare at the grassroots across the country, partnering with the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria to deliver 52 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the country; and with a promise for additional 40 qualitative and affordable PHCs.

MTN is one of the highest tax-paying companies in Nigeria. In July 2024, MTN paid over N549 billion in taxes and levies to the Federal Government. It ranks as top VAT-payer in Nigeria contributing over N200 billion in VAT per month to the national purse.

This MTN has executed 1,023 projects across Nigeria alongside 50 unique projects, reaching over 31 million people.Since it stepped into Nigeria, MTN has been doing good. Everywhere you go, MTN’s imprints of common good for the good people of Nigeria stares you in the face. From education, healthcare, human capital development and infrastructure, MTN has become a recurring factor in Nigeria’s development. The company that is spending over N200 billion for the completion of the 110km Enugu -Onitsha dual carriageway under the Tax Credit Scheme of the Federal Government cannot suddenly be branded an outlaw. MTN Nigeria is a responsible corporate citizen and it cannot be otherwise branded.

*Umukoro, public policy analyst, writes from Lagos.