Business
Association Decries High Levy Of Telecoms Operators
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), last Monday said that an upward review of the Annual Operating Levy (AOL) could collapse the telecoms industry.
The Chairman of ALTON, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, made the remark in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
Adebayo said the insistence of 2.5 per cent AOL by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), was not the best for the industry.
He said that increased levy was not good for the industry, especially as the operators were presently battling with local governments on additional taxation.
According to him, an upward review of the levy will amount to additional burden on the service providers.
“‘The worry now is that both the regulator and the government are not thinking that the industry can collapse, and there is no industry or institution that is immune from failure.
“So, telecoms may have had the success it had over these years, but it is not a reason to say that it cannot collapse.
“So all these issues of review of AOL, reduction of interconnection rate, issues of multiple taxation, we think they are small issues.
“They translate to major bottom line results,” he said.
Adebayo said the telecoms industry was fragile, hence NCC should be very careful in every decision it took on the industry.
He said that smaller players in the industry were finding it difficult to cope, as some were in huge liabilities, which were very hard to refund.
The ALTON chief said technology was not favouring commerce, as today’s technology provided almost everything free of charge.”Today, you can make calls via the internet, you can exchange text messages via the internet, almost at no cost,” he said.
Adebayo said operators had invested in equipment, in facilities, in power system and manpower development, hence, when almost all the telecoms services were rendered free of charge, operators lose revenue.
He said that the industry was facing policy, regulatory, environmental and technology issues, which the telecoms umpires needed to look into.
The ICT expert said that beyond the immediate gains, there was the need to look at the future implication of what was being done in the industry.
NCC had, at a Public Inquiry on the Levy Regulations in Abuja, said it would not reduce the 2.5 per cent AOL being charged on telecoms operators.
The Executive Vice- Chairman of the Commission, Dr Eugene Juwah, said it was illogical to reduce the AOL, since NCC did not receive any money from the government.
Juwah said the charge was a levy on the turnover of operators.”It is the money that enables the commission to execute projects in the Universal Service Provider Forum (USPF), and it used to run the regulatory office.
“I think the issue of decreasing the percentage of the levy will not be logical for now.”It is the money that sustains the regulators and the money is used to execute projects that the regulators do through the forum,” he said.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said 33 banks have met new minimum capital requirements under its recapitalisation programme, raising a combined N4.65 trillion to strengthen the financial system.
The apex bank disclosed this in a statement marking the end of the exercise, which commenced in March 2024 and drew participation from domestic and foreign investors.
The statement was jointly signed by the Director of Banking Supervision, Olubukola Akinwunmi, and the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali.
The statement said “Over the 24-month period, Nigerian banks raised a total of N4.65tn in new capital, strengthening the resilience of the financial system and enhancing its capacity to support the economy.”
The regulator said local investors accounted for 72.55 per cent of the funds, while international investors contributed 27.45 per cent, reflecting continued confidence in the sector.
Commenting on the outcome, the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said in the statement, “The recapitalisation programme has strengthened the capital base of Nigerian banks, reinforcing the resilience of the financial system and ensuring it is well-positioned to support economic growth and withstand domestic and external shocks.”
It added that while 33 banks have complied with the new thresholds, a few others are still undergoing regulatory and legal processes.
The statement noted, “The CBN confirms that 33 banks have met the revised minimum capital requirements established under the programme.
“A limited number of institutions remain subject to ongoing regulatory and judicial processes, which are being addressed through established supervisory and legal frameworks.
“All banks remain fully operational, ensuring continued access to banking services for customers.”
The apex bank stressed that the exercise was executed without disrupting banking operations, ensuring uninterrupted access to services nationwide.
It further stated that key prudential indicators have improved, particularly capital adequacy ratios, which remain above global Basel benchmarks.
The minimum ratios were set at 10 per cent for regional and national banks and 15 per cent for banks with international licences.
The bank also said the recapitalisation coincided with a gradual exit from regulatory forbearance, a move it said improved asset quality, strengthened balance sheet transparency, and enhanced overall stability.
To preserve these gains, the CBN said it has reinforced its risk-based supervision framework, mandating periodic stress tests and adequate capital buffers for banks.
It added that supervisory and prudential guidelines would be reviewed regularly to strengthen governance, risk management, and resilience across the sector.
“The successful completion of the programme establishes a stronger and more resilient banking system, better positioned to support lending, mobilise savings, and withstand domestic and global shocks,” the statement said.
The Tide learnt that foreign capital inflows into Nigeria’s banking sector rose by 93.25 per cent year-on-year to $13.53bn in 2025, up from $7.00bn recorded in 2024, amid the ongoing recapitalisation drive by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics capital importation report showed that the banking sector remained the dominant destination for foreign capital, accounting for $13.53bn of the total $23.22bn recorded in 2025, representing 58.26 per cent of total inflows, up from 56.81 per cent in 2024.
The surge reflects heightened investor interest in Nigerian banks as they raised fresh capital to meet new regulatory thresholds introduced by the apex bank, with industry-wide recapitalisation activities driving large-scale inflows across all quarters of the year.
However, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) recently raised concerns over weak credit flows to small businesses despite recent banking sector reforms.
The CPPE, led by a renowned economist, Dr Muda Yusuf, acknowledged that the ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise by the CBN has strengthened the financial system, but warned that the benefits have yet to translate into meaningful support for the real economy.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
