A new enforcement drive by the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has sparked outrage among residents after demand notices were issued for radio and television licence fees. The 2024 AMAC by-law imposes annual fees ranging from ₦3,500 for homes to ₦1 million for multinationals.
Residents condemned the policy as insensitive and exploitative, arguing it adds to Nigeria’s worsening cost-of-living crisis. “How can you ask us to pay for TVs we already power ourselves?” lamented a business owner.
AMAC defended the move, citing constitutional backing under the Fourth Schedule, which authorizes councils to collect radio and TV levies. Officials promised an enlightenment campaign to clarify the policy’s purpose.
Legal experts confirmed local governments’ right to collect such fees but noted the law’s outdated nature, urging a review to reflect Nigeria’s digital reality. Critics warned that the tax risks fueling distrust and hardship among residents.
