Economy
$47.8m Tax: MTN Seeks Answers to Five Crucial Issues at Tax Appeal Tribunal
By Adedapo Adesanya
MTN Nigeria has released further details about its ongoing legal battle with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) over the $47.8 million it was mandated to pay the agency by the Tax Appeal Tribunal.
Last month, the telco was asked to pay the sum of $47.8 million in tax defaults from 2007 to 2017 to the revenue agency.
The Tax Appeal Tribunal absolved MTN from paying the sum of $21,039,807 as penalties and interest on the principal sum, FIRS would wish to receive the money.
The company in a statement titled, MTN’s Tax Matter: Unveiling the Issues said it filed an appeal at the Tax Appeal Tribunal to challenge the October 20, 2023, judgment.
MTN Nigeria submitted five crucial issues to the Tribunal for determination. The first matter seeks to establish whether, considering the clear and unequivocal provisions of the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act before the amendment by the Finance Acts, the provision of software, licensing, and upgrades qualifies as a taxable supply of goods and services.
The second issue in question, according to the filing, is whether the provision/lease of bandwidth capacities through transponders located in the satellite qualifies as a taxable supply of goods and services.
In addition, MTN is seeking clarity on whether, in the absence of the production of any false or untrue document or statement by MTN, the FIRS has the authority to conduct a tax investigation beyond the 5-year restriction.
Another aspect involves determining whether the training provided by offshore facilitators outside of Nigeria is liable to VAT in Nigeria.
The final point for consideration is whether the tax authority acted in error when it calculated and imposed interest and penalty on MTN’s alleged non-remittance of VAT liabilities, considering that the said liabilities have not become final and conclusive.
MTN, giving the origin of the dispute, said the matter began on September 4, 2018, when the then Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, unilaterally imposed $2 billion in back taxes on MTN Nigeria, resulting in a legal action by MTN Nigeria against the AGF.
It added that, “In 2020, the AGF referred the matter to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigeria Customs, withdrawing the letter of demand for the aforementioned $2 billion issued in 2018.
“A series of engagements between FIRS and MTN led to the amount being revised to $93.6 million, comprising $72.6 million as principal liabilities and $21 million for penalties and interest. MTN’s objection to this amount resulted in an upward review to $135.7 million, comprising a principal tax liability of $47.8 million, while interest and penalty amounted to $87.9 million.”
Following the success of its debut season, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, announces the return of the InvestBeta Game Show, with registration officially open.
The second season of the InvestBeta show builds on the first edition, aimed at equipping young Nigerians with real-world financial skills in a fun, relatable, and competitive format. The show’s first season, which aired in 2024, captured the attention of Gen-Z viewers across the country, blending entertainment with investment education in a way that had never been done before. With positive feedback, it proved that young Nigerians are ready to learn how to grow their money, and all they need is the right platform.
The new season reflects the Group’s broader youth-focused mission through Beyond Dreams, its dynamic community created for Nigerians aged 18–30. The community aims to help young people turn their aspirations into reality through secure, timely and smart investment choices. Since its inception, Beyond Dreams has grown to a network of over 90,000 young members, generated 2,100+ new investment accounts, and continues to position the Group as a trusted partner in the financial futures of Nigeria’s youth.
Busola Jejelowo, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management noted InvestBeta reflects our deep commitment to financial education. She said, “We understand that today’s young people want more than just advice but practical, hands-on experience. This is why the InvestBeta game show is here to change how young Nigerians see money and what they can do with it.”
Entries are now open to eligible young Nigerians who want to be part of Season 2. Registration is free via the official link: https://bit.ly/StanbicIBTCInvestBeta. Successful applicants will be selected to compete in a series of challenges designed to test their knowledge, strategy, and creativity around real-life financial scenarios.
And for those who missed the first season, full episodes are available to watch on Stanbic IBTC’s official YouTube channel. From quick financial questions to investment tips, Season 1 offered real lessons with real impact, and Season 2 is gearing up to raise the bar.
To stay in the loop, follow @beyonddreamsng across all social media platforms and be part of the countdown to the second season of Nigeria’s most engaging youth-focused investment competition.
If you are 18 to 26, curious about how money works, and ready to build your future, this is your sign.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Trading activities at the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange ended on a positive note with a 0.43 per cent growth on Thursday, July 17.
The expansion recorded yesterday raised the market capitalisation by N8.68 billion at the close of business to N2.042 trillion from the N2.033 trillion quoted at the preceding session, and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) gained 14.83 points to settle at 3,487.67 points compared with the 3,472.84 points it finished on Wednesday.
According to data, there were two price gainers during the trading session, with Okitipupa Plc growing by N4.50 to close at N239.50 per share versus the N235.00 per share it ended at midweek, as Food Concepts Plc chalked up 29 Kobo to close at N3.20 per unit, in contrast to the previous day’s N2.91 per unit.
On the flip side, the bourse recorded a price loser and it was UBN Property Plc, which lost 22 Kobo to end at N2.02 per share compared with the preceding day’s N2.24 per share.
At the close of business, the volume of trades surged by 280,246.7 per cent to 252,312 units from the 90 units traded during the midweek session, the value of transactions increased by 365,667.5 per cent to N21.4 million from N5,850, and the number of deals went up by 525 per cent to 25 deals from four deals.
Okitipupa Plc remained the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 153.9 million units valued at N4.9 billion, followed by Air Liquide Plc with 507.2 million units sold for N4.2 billion, and FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc with 42.3 million units worth N1.8 billion.
Impresit Bakolori Plc remained the most active stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with the sale of 536.9 million units for N524.8 million, trailed by Air Liquide Plc with 507.2 million units valued at N4.2 billion, and Geo-Fluids Plc with a turnover of 272.3 million units worth N493.4 million.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The value of the Naira further depreciated against the US Dollar by N3.26 or 0.21 per cent in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) segment of the forex market on Thursday, July 17 to N1,533.22/$1 from the previous closing price of N1,529.96/$1.
Equally, the domestic currency weakened against the Pound Sterling in the official FX market during the trading session by N2.76 to close at N2,056.52/£1 compared with the previous day’s rate of N2,053.76/£1 but appreciated against the Euro by N2.81 to finish at N1,776.42/€1, in contrast to the N1,779.23/€1 it was traded at midweek.
In the black market, the exchange rate of the Nigerian Naira and the US Dollar remained unchanged yesterday at N1,535/$1, according to data obtained by Business Post.
The poor performance of the Naira in the spot market on Thursday came amid increased demand despite positives that indicate that the country’s reserves will strengthened on improved crude output as well as enhanced foreign portfolio investment (FPI) inflows amid slowdown in import trade-related outflows.
In the first six months of 2025, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) injected a total of $4.1 billion into the FX market to stabilise the Naira and ease liquidity pressures in the currency market, 215 per cent higher than the $1.3 billion recorded during the same period in 2024, according to the latest CSL Stockbrokers’ H2 2025 Outlook report.
The analysts at CSL, however, expressed concerns over the sustainability of the currency defence strategy, citing weak oil earnings, subdued foreign portfolio investment inflows, and uncertainties around external financing.
As for the cryptocurrency market, it was bullish as the US made the historical milestone towards stablecoin-regulating legislation.
The first major crypto regulatory initiative in the US is about to become law after the House of Representatives passed the stablecoin bill known as the GENIUS Act.
The approval came directly on the heels of another major legislative accomplishment for the industry, when the House also passed the Clarity Act that would govern the oversight of the digital assets markets in the US
During the trading session, Dogecoin (DOGE) jumped by 14.7 per cent to $0.2423, Ripple (XRP) appreciated by 13.1 per cent to $3.56, Cardano (ADA) added 12.4 per cent to trade at $0.8664, Litecoin (LTC) rose by 10.9 per cent to $108.52, Ethereum (ETH) expanded by 7.4 per cent to $3,645.41, Solana (SOL) improved by 6.4 per cent to $182.76, Binance Coin (BNB) soared by 5.1 per cent to $748.01, and Bitcoin (BTC) advanced by 1.6 per cent to $120,390.40, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) remained unchanged at $1.00 apiece.
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