In a move that has sparked widespread dissatisfaction, operators of Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals have increased their charges, following the implementation of the Federal Inland Revenue Service’s (FIRS) Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL). This N50 levy applies to any electronic transfer of N10,000 or more, in line with the new tax regulations. Starting December 1, 2024, several fintech platforms, including Moniepoint, PalmPay, and OPay, began notifying their customers of the N50 charge on any electronic inflow of N10,000 or more. The levy, part of the Finance Act 2020, is designed to bring more electronic transactions under the scope of the Stamp Duty Act. Moniepoint clarified in an email that the N50 charge will be applied to inflows above N10,000, but emphasized that the company does not benefit from the levy. Instead, it is collected by Moniepoint and remitted to the FIRS. PalmPay echoed this, stating that the levy, effective November 30, 2024, would be remitted directly to the federal government. Some POS operators, however, are struggling with the impact of the levy, particularly in regions with limited cash availability. Kazeem Adewale, a POS operator in Ogun State, voiced his frustrations, explaining that many customers are upset about the increase in charges. Other operators, such as Mrs. Helen Faniran in Ondo, shared that the cost of acquiring cash from local vendors has increased, leading to higher transaction fees. While some POS operators are gradually introducing the new charges, others, like a Lagos-based vendor, have yet to implement them. Consumers have also taken to social media to voice their concerns. One user on X (formerly Twitter), Sam Addai, criticized the levy, calling it an unfair tax on digital transactions. Another user, 6xstem, called it “robbery in broad daylight.” As the EMTL continues to be enforced, the increase in POS charges is causing growing unease among Nigerian consumers, who are questioning the fairness and transparency of this new financial burden.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigeria Customs Service, and Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announced on Monday that they exceeded their respective revenue targets for the current fiscal year. During a session with the Joint Committee on Finance, Budget, and National Planning on the 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF-FSP), key agency leaders provided updates on their performance. Record-Breaking Revenue Achievements FIRS Chairman Zacchaeus Adedeji reported significant progress, stating that all revenue components surpassed expectations. For instance, N5.7 trillion was generated from company income tax, far exceeding the N4 trillion target, while education tax collections reached N1.5 trillion against a N70 billion target. Overall, FIRS realized N18.5 trillion out of the N19.4 trillion target by the end of September, with the expectation of further surpassing the annual projection. NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, shared that the company exceeded its 2024 revenue projection of N12.3 trillion by reaching N13.1 trillion before the third quarter’s end. For 2025, NNPCL aims to remit N23.7 trillion to the federation account. Similarly, Nigeria Customs Service Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi disclosed that as of September 30, the agency had generated N5.352 trillion, surpassing the N5.09 trillion 2024 target. Customs also set ambitious goals of N6.3 trillion for 2025 and annual 10% increases for subsequent years. Lawmakers Question Excessive Borrowing Despite these successes, lawmakers voiced concerns about the government’s reliance on borrowing to fund capital projects. Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) questioned why borrowing persists despite strong revenue performances. In response, FIRS Chairman Adedeji clarified that borrowing is part of the National Assembly-approved appropriation act, ensuring that the executive operates within the legislature’s framework. Similarly, Budget and Economic Planning Minister Senator Atiku Bagudu emphasized that borrowing is necessary to address budget deficits, including the N9.7 trillion gap in the 2024 budget. Finance Minister Wale Edun reiterated that despite increased revenue, borrowing remains crucial for comprehensive budget funding, especially for developmental projects targeting the most vulnerable populations. Immigration Service Under Scrutiny The Nigeria Immigration Service faced backlash over a controversial private-public partnership (PPP) for passport production. The agreement, which allocates 70% of proceeds to a consultancy firm and only 30% to the government, was deemed “unacceptable” by committee chair Senator Sani Musa. He demanded a review or cancellation of the arrangement, instructing the agency to present all relevant documents by the end of the week. Looking Ahead For 2025, the government projects total revenue generation of N49.7 trillion, signaling continued efforts to optimize resources while addressing structural budgetary challenges. READ ALSO:
