Nigerians slam Buhari for harsh VAT increment, lamenting new hike in voice calls, SMS

Last month, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) signed the 2019 finance bill into law in Abuja.

The law looks to amend six tax provisions. Key amongst them is the increase in Value Added Tax on specific goods and services from 5 percent to 7.5 percent.

The effect of the increment on Nigerians was previously reported by MyNigeria as several individuals praised and slammed the President for the move.

Today, the scenario is different on Twitter as the 7.5% VAT increment has begun to reflect on phone calls and text messages. Calls now get extra charges and text messages now reflect N4.10 per text as opposed to the initial N4 proposed by the Nigerian Communication Commission.

Several responses on Twitter were recorded below:

@Demo__UK said, "Thank you govt. I’m also ready to add 7.5% VAT charges for all my sugarmummies before they off my paynt. ???? Benz loading.."

Thank you govt. I’m also ready to add 7.5% VAT charges for all my sugarmummies before they off my paynt. ???? Benz loading... pic.twitter.com/bPPObGTDe8

— DemoLa (@Demo__UK) February 5, 2020

@UncleMohamz lamented his plight thus:

"One of the good and bad sides of being a Nigerian is that, we ADAPT to every situation. We just keep managing. Now we protest against the 7.5% VAT, tomorrow we move on. We protest about the ban on okada, but we move on. We keep moving on."

One of the good and bad sides of being a Nigerian is that, we ADAPT to every situation. We just keep managing.

Now we protest against the 7.5% VAT, tomorrow we move on.
We protest about the ban on okada, but we move on.
We keep moving on ????????

— MR AHMED???????? (@UncleMohamz) February 5, 2020

@awatrend said, "Me; escaping 7.5% VAT payment from my network, by calling everyone on my Contact List with WhatsApp Call

Me; escaping 7.5% VAT payment from my network, by calling everyone on my Contact List with WhatsApp Call ???? pic.twitter.com/Gusn8uwuzj

— Pretty and Trendy (@awatrend) February 5, 2020

The ones that never expected it

Please someone explain what this 7.5% vat mean? I just finished calling my mom and I'm seeing it ????????????

— I R U N N I ? ™ (@Irunnia2) February 5, 2020

Mayowa Olaniyan saw nothing wrong with it.

"If VAT in a smaller country like Ghana could go for as high as 12.5%, I see no reason why Nigerians will fume over 7.5% VAT. I learnt how Nigeria My Country was when I bought a 33cl bottle of Coke for 2Cedis ( equivalent #200 or more)," he said.

If VAT in a smaller country like Ghana could go for as high as 12.5%, I see no reason why Nigerians will fume over 7.5% VAT.
I learnt how Nigeria My Country was when I bought a 33cl bottle of Coke for 2Cedis ( equivalent #200 or more) pic.twitter.com/B8EVzLlPyx

— Mayowa Olaniyan ???????? (@olaniyanmayowa) February 5, 2020

Trolls

Nigerians enjoying their money, and remembering the 7.5% VAT they had to pay for it. pic.twitter.com/14UNdIRBPJ

— Umeh (@UmehWrites) February 5, 2020

In the midst of it all: Trending in Nigeria
Uba Sani
7.5% VAT
Lasisi#LagosIsWalking
see what someone's father, uncle, brother made fun out. pic.twitter.com/pLClVyihCW

— Olayemi ? (@olayemi_aom) February 5, 2020

How federal government are taking back the minimum wage they increased based on this 7.5% VAT.

GOD have Messi. #Nigeria pic.twitter.com/C0oeIjcAyz

— Future Pepsi Ambassador (@Obong_Hanson) February 5, 2020

More knocks for Mr President

Nigeria today we have no light ! Bad roads!! insecurity a bad economy and after the FG agreeing to pay the 33k minimum wage they have imposed a 7.5% vat haba This is in human against the common Nigeria! With all this happening they except Nigerians not to flee to other countries

— H.E ghøst_alamin ???? (@alamin_ghost) February 5, 2020

Punishment to Punishment

From #Otrekk to 7.5% VAT payments

This is from Punishment to Punishment ..

May God help us in this country ????????????

— Pankee ma pa mi na ???? (@PankeeRoy) February 5, 2020