The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has introduced a new charge on radios, televisions, and similar electronic devices, sparking significant backlash from residents and entrepreneurs alike. Many have condemned the levy as an excessive and poorly timed form of “multiple taxation” that could jeopardize the viability of businesses within the capital city.
This uproar follows the enactment of the AMAC Radio and Television Licence Bye-Law (No. 19) of 2024. Demand letters, obtained by our reporter, have already been distributed to homeowners and business proprietors throughout the municipality.
Recipients are required to settle the full payment within 21 days, with warnings that non-compliance may result in prosecution at a Magistrate Court and potential closure of the premises involved.
The legislation stipulates an annual licensing fee for anyone possessing or controlling radios, televisions, or “other devices of a similar nature.” The fees differ widely, encompassing everything from large enterprises to individual households.
Under the fee structure, major financial institutions and multinational corporations (Category B) are expected to pay N1,000,000 yearly. Medium-sized enterprises such as supermarkets, hotels, and telecommunications firms (Category C) face charges ranging from N50,000 to N200,000.
Perhaps most contentious is the requirement for residents in duplexes, flats, bungalows, and self-contained apartments (Category D) to pay between N3,500 and N20,000 per unit.
Across the council area, the response has been overwhelmingly critical. Many questioned the justification for this tax, especially during a period of economic hardship.
Chike Okonkwo, who runs a restaurant in Jabi, received a notice placing his establishment in Category C. “This is outrageous. I’m already burdened with numerous taxes from local, state, and federal authorities,” he lamented.
“Now AMAC expects me to pay for the small TV in my waiting area? What service are they providing-electricity or broadcast signals? This will only force me to raise food prices, and ultimately, the customers bear the cost,” he added.
For many residents, the levy feels like an unwarranted intrusion into their domestic lives. A tenant in a three-bedroom flat in Gwarinpa, who preferred anonymity, questioned, “Are we now being charged for the privilege of watching NTA or listening to the radio in our own homes?”
“This reminds me of the colonial-era radio licence fees. Given the soaring cost of living, this feels like an insult to ordinary Nigerians struggling to make ends meet,” the resident remarked.
Legal professionals have also voiced apprehensions. Barrister Rotimi Samuel, a public affairs commentator, criticized the law’s ambiguous language. “The term ‘other devices of a similar nature’ is alarmingly vague,” he noted.
“Does this include smartphones, tablets, laptops, or Bluetooth speakers? Such broad wording grants AMAC officials excessive discretion, potentially leading to arbitrary enforcement and harassment during inspections,” he warned.
Business owners fear the levy will further stifle Abuja’s already fragile commercial climate.
“This sends a terrible message to investors, suggesting the local government prioritizes revenue extraction over fostering a business-friendly environment,” said Nkechi Okoro, who owns a beauty salon.
“The constant threat of arbitrary fees and the possibility of having one’s business shut down is a major deterrent,” she added.
The law’s provision for a N10,000 fine or a one-month closure for corporate offenders is viewed as particularly harsh for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggling to survive.
Both residents and business operators are urging an immediate reassessment and suspension of the levy.
They call for a transparent public awareness campaign explaining the levy’s purpose and how the collected funds will be utilized, rather than simply issuing payment demands accompanied by threats.
Additionally, they demand a precise and comprehensive definition of “electronic devices” to prevent exploitation and intimidation by enforcement agents, along with a suspension of the levy for residential properties and small businesses, especially given the current economic challenges.
When approached for a statement, a representative from the AMAC Radio and Television office in Jabi declined to comment, referring inquiries to the council’s main secretariat.
Kingsley Madaki, the senior special assistant on Media and Publicity to the AMAC chairman, clarified that the radio and television licence fee has been in place since the administration of Micah Jiba and is not a new imposition.
“This levy is grounded in Section Four of the 1999 Constitution and falls under the category of Taxes and Levies. It is not a recent addition by this government; it has always existed. Anyone violating this bylaw will be fined,” he explained.
“Our agents are tasked with visiting corporate and residential properties to ensure compliance. All corporate entities must pay the tax. If you own a radio or television, you are required to obtain the licence,” he added.
With the 21-day deadline fast approaching, many recipients of the notices face a difficult choice: pay a fee they deem unfair or risk severe penalties, including the closure of their homes and businesses.
