The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has decried the burden of multiple taxation and inconsistent tax laws in Nigeria, warning that they discourage investment and hamper economic growth.
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Fagbemi made the remarks on Monday in Lagos while declaring open the first edition of the annual workshop for Attorneys General on emerging issues in the communications sector, organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
According to him, the justice system plays a critical role in supporting the communications sector by upholding the rule of law, enforcing regulations, and protecting consumer rights. He stressed the importance of regulatory clarity and robust legal frameworks to attract investment and ensure smooth operations within the sector.
“The justice and judicial sector are therefore critical components for regulating communications in Nigeria. This inevitably entails upholding the rule of law by providing level playing fields for actors in the communications sector, preventing the exploitation of consumer rights through strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks, and streamlining penal dispensation with a view to ensuring compliance with laws and regulations,” Fagbemi said.
He further warned against the wanton destruction of telecommunications infrastructure, describing it as economic sabotage. He cited the 2024 incident in Ogun State where multiple levies imposed by local government authorities led to the suspension of telecom expansion projects, as well as the 2023 vandalization of base stations in Kano.
“These incidents negatively impact the development of the communications sector and hinder digital transformation in the country,” he noted.
Fagbemi also highlighted the Tinubu administration’s commitment to leveraging advancements in the communications sector as a tool for economic transformation. However, he acknowledged that key obstacles — including right-of-way challenges, regulatory overlaps, and inconsistent state policies — continue to undermine progress.
In his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, called on state attorneys general to collaborate with the Commission and the Presidential Tax and Fiscal Reform Committee to harmonise tax regimes and eliminate disincentives to investment.
Maida expressed concern over the fragmented oversight by tax authorities at the federal, state, and local levels, stating that such disjointed efforts reduce the efficiency of revenue collection and threaten the country’s economic stability.
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