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FG Rakes in N412Bn VAT from Telecom Subscribers

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Telecommunication subscribers and other consumers of information and communications services in Nigeria paid N412.31 billion in Value Added Tax (VAT) last year.

FG Rakes in N412Bn VAT from Telecom Subscribers

This is as telecom companies and other operators in the information and communications industry paid N466.5 billion in Company Income Tax (CIT), data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed.

According to Businessday report, the telecoms sector continues to be one of the largest contributors to the government’s tax revenue because of its role in the economy.

Data from the NBS showed that the sector contributed 19.29 percent, 21.19 percent, 19.04 percent, and 10.02 percent in the first quarter, Q2, Q3, and Q4 respectively.

The information and communications sector was also one of the top contributors to CIT. In the first three quarters of 2023, of the total amount of CIT paid, ICT contributed 11.89 percent, 20.30 percent and 11.86 percent, respectively.

The growth in VAT revenues underscores increased consumption of telecom services, with data usage soaring to 713,200 terabytes (TB) as of December 2023 from 517,670 TB in January, for instance. The increased reliance on digital services also translated into higher revenues for the telcos.

MTN’s service revenue grew by 22.4 percent to N2.5 trillion in 2023 and Airtel recorded $1.24 billion in revenue for the nine-month period ended December 2023.

According to the NBS, the information and communication sector comprises the activities of telecommunications and information services; publishing; motion picture, sound recording and music production; and broadcasting.

The telecom sector is a major component (about 80 percent) of the ICT sector. The ICT sector is one of the major pillars of the country’s GDP and a major source of revenue in the form of taxes for the government.

Commenting on the impact of the information and communication sector (to which telecoms contributed 83.69 percent) on the country’s nominal GDP, the NBS said: “On an annual basis, the sector grew by 40.79 percent, higher than 19.00 percent in 2022. The information and communications sector contributed 12.52 percent to the total nominal GDP in the 2023 fourth quarter, higher than the rate of 10.42 percent recorded in the same quarter of 2022.”

In 2021, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) listed MTN Nigeria, one of the four mobile network operators in the country, as one of its top taxpayers.

A statement signed by Uto Ukpanah, its company secretary, said: “In 2021, MTN Nigeria’s total tax contribution to all government agencies, including the FIRS, amounted to N757.6 billion while the FIRS collected a total of N6.4 trillion tax revenue in the year.

“Specifically, MTN Nigeria paid a total of N618.7 billion in direct and indirect taxes to the FIRS in the 2021 tax year, representing approximately 13.5 percent of the total FIRS collection for the year.”

Recently, Bosun Tijani, minister for communications, innovation, and digital economy, said he hoped to increase the federal government’s annual net revenue from the telecommunications sector by 100 percent between 2023 and 2027.


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Airtel to Redefine Customer Experience with State-of-the-Art Retail Store

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L-r: Regional Retail & Franchise Lead, Dapo Eniola Martins; Head, Shops and Retail Postpaid Business, Lynda Amechi; Chief Commercial Officer, Femi Oshinlaja; Human Resources Director, Adebimpe Ayo-Elias; Representative, Regional Operations Director (Lagos), Adeola Afolabi; and Regional Marketing Manager, Veronica Nwosisi, all of Airtel Nigeria, during the launch of the new cutting-edge Airtel retail shop at GM Mall Sangotedo, Lagos, recently.
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Airtel Nigeria, as part its ongoing commitment to delivering a seamless and exceptional retail experience for its customers has launched its new Company-Owned-Company-Operated (COCO) retail store in Sangotedo, Lagos, on Friday, 24th January 2025.

The new retail store aligns with Airtel’s dedication to providing topnotch experience for its customers, offering end-to-end customer support, instant activation of new SIM cards, bill payments, data plan subscriptions, device purchases, and troubleshooting services.

Speaking during the launch, Femi Oshinlaja, Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, reiterated Airtel’s commitment to delivering world-class service to its customers.

“At Airtel, our mission has always been to delight our customers by delivering unmatched satisfaction and we understand that connectivity is the lifeblood of modern business and everyday life. This is why we are passionate about ensuring that every customer’s journey with us is seamless, convenient, and rewarding,” he said.

“We are proud to be part of the Sangotedo community and excited to deepen our partnership with the people and businesses in this vibrant part of Lagos. This shop is a reflection of our belief that access to excellent telecommunications services should be within everyone’s reach,” he added.

The launch event was attended by senior Airtel executives and included a guided tour of the cutting-edge facility, showcasing the innovative features and personalized services that customers can now enjoy. Leveraging the latest retail technologies and best practices, the store sets a new benchmark for customer service excellence in the telecommunications industry.

In her closing remarks, Human Resources Director, Airtel Nigeria, Adebimpe Ayo-Elias emphasized Airtel’s goal in promoting quality customer service.

“At Airtel, we understand the importance of having a conducive environment for effective customer service and with the launch of this new shop, we have made provisions for 24 seats to accommodate everyone.

“Every customer who walks in is assured of receiving top notch quality customer care. We would continue to be the reason to imagine and look forward to achieving even greater milestones,” she said.

Airtel remains committed to enhancing its retail footprint across Nigeria, ensuring customers have convenient access to superior telecommunications services.


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How to Empower Nigeria’s Renewable Energy Future

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For decades, Nigeria’s power sector has been on shaky ground — struggling with unreliable electricity supply, aging infrastructure, and an overdependence on fossil fuels. Grid collapse has become a recurrent experience, forcing households and businesses to rely on expensive and polluting generators. Amid these challenges, past and present governments always paint a hopeful picture of reforms and investments aimed at improving the grid.

Yet, in a world rapidly shifting towards renewable energy, true progress will not come from patching up a failing system but from embracing a sustainable, green energy future. Indigenous brands like iPower are already leading the way, proving that Nigeria does not have to be left behind.

The global energy landscape is undergoing a transformation. In fact, with the Paris Agreement, more than 110 countries have committed to a net zero emissions target by 2050. Renewable energy has become the new frontier as nations race to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. Solar farms are stretching across the Sahara, wind turbines are rising along coastlines, and battery technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace. Countries like China, Japan, and the US, which once relied on coal and crude oil, are now investing heavily in clean energy solutions — not just for environmental reasons but because renewables are proving to be more economically viable in the long run.

Africa, with its vast untapped solar and wind resources, is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this shift. Countries like Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco are already harnessing these resources to power industries, businesses, and homes by investing substantially in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. Kenya, for instance, generates nearly half of its energy supply from geothermal energy. The question is: Will Nigeria seize this opportunity or remain trapped in outdated energy policies?

One of renewable energy’s biggest advantages is that it provides off-grid solutions — a crucial benefit for remote villages where electricity grids are non-existent. Solar panels, wind turbines, and hydro mini-grids are offering lifelines to communities that have long been neglected by traditional energy providers.

Beyond environmental benefits, renewable energy presents a strong economic case. Traditional power sources come with high fuel costs, maintenance expenses, and environmental levies. In contrast, solar and wind energy offer long-term savings, reduced reliance on imports, and the potential to create thousands of jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.

A stable power supply means extended operating hours and increased productivity for small businesses, uninterrupted medical care for hospitals, and access to digital learning tools even after sundown for students. Energy access is not just about convenience — it’s about economic empowerment.

Nigeria cannot afford to sit on the sidelines. Forward-thinking companies like iPower, which has a vision to power Africa sustainably, are proving that clean energy solutions can be accessible, affordable, and effective. Unlike generic imports, iPower’s renewable energy products are specifically designed to meet Nigeria’s unique energy needs — factoring in extreme weather conditions, infrastructural gaps, and affordability.

iPower’s product lineup includes solar home systems that provide uninterrupted power for households, portable energy solutions for businesses and remote areas, and advanced battery storage technologies to ensure consistent electricity supply even during peak usage hours. Beyond just providing products, iPower is shaping the future of renewable energy in Africa by investing in education and awareness campaigns, ensuring that more people understand the benefits of switching to clean energy. By integrating innovative financing models and local partnerships, iPower is making it easier for Nigerians to transition to clean, reliable energy solutions without the burden of high upfront costs.

For Nigeria to become a key player in the global renewable energy sector, both private enterprises and government action must align. Companies like iPower are already making strides, but government support is essential to scale these efforts.

The government can play a critical role by providing incentives such as tax breaks and subsidies for renewable energy projects, investing in infrastructure to support large-scale solar and wind energy farms, partnering with private companies to expand access to affordable clean energy solutions, educating the public on the benefits of renewable energy adoption.

The world is moving towards a clean energy future, and Nigeria has a choice: act now and lead the transition in Africa or risk being left behind. With iPower at the helm, the vision of a sustainable, self-sufficient Nigeria is no longer a distant dream — it is an achievable reality.

The future is not in generators that guzzle fuel or diesel and pollute the air. The future is in the power of the sun, the strength of the wind, and the innovation of homegrown companies like iPower. The time to act is now.

 


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Galaxy Backbone Celebrates Excellence and Innovation in Its People

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Galaxy Backbone (GBB) proudly recognizes the outstanding efforts of its employees, whose dedication and innovation have significantly contributed to the organization’s success and recognition in recent times.

These achievements underscore GBB’s unwavering commitment to excellence in service delivery and pioneering technological solutions that advance Nigeria’s public sector.

The development, launch, and implementation of the GBB GovMail Email Platform in November 2024 by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, marked a transformative milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. GovMail provides Civil and Public servants across the public sector with a secure, efficient, and reliable platform for official communication.

By fostering seamless collaboration and ensuring the integrity of government data, GovMail directly supports the federal government’s vision for a digitally enabled public sector that prioritizes accountability and efficiency.

This groundbreaking initiative was driven by an exceptional teamwork, led by GBB’s, Head of Cloud Operations and supported by GBB’s team of Cloud Solution Specialists. Their innovation and “can-do spirit” embody GBB’s commitment to delivering cost-effective technology solutions that empower governance and enhance service delivery to citizens.

In recognition of their outstanding contributions, the team members were formerly recognized and commended by GBB’s Executive Management, led by the Managing Director/CEO, Professor Ibrahim A. Adeyanju. The expressed delight by the team’s spirit, commitment and dedication and encouraged other members of Staff to emulate their great work for GBB, the Public sector and the nation at large.

In a similar way, GBB also commended a member of its Datacentre Team for his exceptional skill and dedication in responding to a critical incident at the National Shared Services Centre (NSSC) in 2024. His swift actions safeguarded critical infrastructure, and ensured uninterrupted business continuity. These Individuals have in their unique ways, shown professionalism and technical expertise, which aligns with GBB’s core values.

These commendations highlight GBB’s dedication to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and recognition. Through initiatives like GovMail and the unwavering efforts of its talented workforce, GBB continues to lead the charge in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and strengthening governance through cutting-edge technologies.


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