The Federal Government has dismissed media reports claiming that the government has adopted, or is planning new telecommunications services and petroleum products, insisting the claims misread recommendations contained in the International Monetary Fund’s 2026 Article IV Consultation Report on Nigeria.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the Head of the Ministry of Finance’s Information and Public Relations Unit, Efe Ovuakporie, said the circulation reports misrepresented the contents of the IMF document and did not reflect the government’s policy direction.
The clarification follows weeks of coverage around the Fund’s latest assessment of the Nigerian economy, published earlier this month, in which it urged the authorities to widen the tax net to fund development spending and social programmes.
Among the steps the IMF floated were extending Value Added Tax (VAT) to fuel products, raising the VAT rate from its current 7.5%, scaling back exemptions in the extractive and customs sectors, and introducing excise duties on telecoms services.
The Fund projected such measures, combined with administrative reforms, could lift revenue by close to 3.9% of GDP over the medium term, while cautioning that the timing of any new levies should account for Nigeria’s worsening poverty and food insecurity.
Those recommendations were quickly picked up by commentators and sections of the media as a signal that new consumer levies were imminent, reviving a long running debate in the telecoms sector, where operators had secured a 50% increase in tariffs for calls, SMS and data only last year.
An earlier attempt to impose a telecom excise duty had previously been shelved following pushback from operators and subscribers who argued it would raise the cost of communication.
The Government, however, clarified that the Value Added Tax (VAT) waiver on petroleum products remains in place and has not been withdrawn. It also noted that although existing legislation provides for a fuel surcharge, such a measure can only take effect through a ministerial order and publication in the Official Gazette. No such process is under consideration.
The continued suspension of these charges has helped cushion the effect of global energy price fluctuations on households and businesses while keeping domestic fuel prices relatively stable.
The Government further clarified that the telecommunications excise duty introduced before 2023 has been repealed under the new tax laws and is therefore no longer applicable.
“Against this backdrop, reports claiming that new taxes are being planned for telecommunications services or petroleum products are not factual and should be disregarded,” the statement said.
It said the Federal Government remains focused on reforms that promote economic growth, improve revenue administration and create a more competitive environment for investment and job creation. The emphasis remains on expanding economic activity, plugging leakages and improving efficiency rather than placing additional tax burdens on citizens.
“Any future tax measures will be announced through official channels and implemented in line with the law,” it added.
