The Federal Government has dismissed reports suggesting that new taxes on telecommunications services and petroleum products are being considered in Nigeria, following the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation Report on the country.
The clarification was issued after media interpretations of the report by the International Monetary Fund suggested that Nigeria may need to expand Value Added Tax (VAT) to fuel products and introduce excise duties on telecoms services to raise revenue for development and social spending.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Finance, through its Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Efe Ovuakporie, said the interpretations misrepresented the IMF’s findings and did not reflect government policy direction.
The government stressed that IMF recommendations are advisory and not binding, adding that tax decisions in Nigeria follow constitutional and legislative procedures aligned with national priorities and economic conditions.
It confirmed that the VAT waiver on petroleum products remains active and has not been withdrawn. It also noted that although legislation provides for a fuel surcharge, its implementation would require a ministerial order and publication in the Official Gazette, which is not being pursued.
According to the statement, the previously introduced telecommunications excise duty has been repealed under new tax laws and is no longer in force. It added that claims of planned new taxes on telecoms or fuel products are inaccurate and should be disregarded.
The government said its current focus remains on expanding economic activity, improving revenue administration, plugging leakages and enhancing efficiency rather than introducing additional tax burdens.
The statement reaffirmed that any future tax measures would be communicated through official channels and implemented strictly in line with the law.
The clarification comes amid ongoing public debate triggered by interpretations of the IMF report and wider concerns about fiscal reforms.
