By Unubi Emmanuel
Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Kogi State
May 22, 2025 | Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has formally resolved its long-standing dispute with MTN Nigeria concerning tax remittance and operational compliance, following a high-level meeting held on Wednesday at the Government House in Lokoja.
The engagement was initiated by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA, and presided over by his Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu.
Speaking on behalf of the Governor, Deputy Governor Salifu urged corporate organisations to strictly comply with their tax obligations and adhere to operational protocols in their dealings with the state. He described the previous disagreement with the telecom giant, which resulted in temporary service disruptions, as a routine institutional challenge, not uncommon in government-business relationships.
Governor Ododo commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for its critical role in mediating the dispute and facilitating the dialogue. He praised the commitment of all parties to honour the resolutions reached, reaffirming that Kogi remains open for business and welcoming to both local and international investors.
Earlier in the meeting, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner for Technical Services at the NCC, disclosed that both MTN Nigeria and the Kogi State Government had reached mutually acceptable terms for the settlement of outstanding debts owed by the telecom operator to the state.
He applauded Governor Ododo for his pro-business policies, noting that the peaceful resolution of the impasse would boost investor confidence and bring long-term benefits to the residents of the state.
The meeting was attended by notable government officials including Hon. Hilary Ojoma Egwudah, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor; Alhaji Sule Salihu Enehe, Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS); Alhaji Taofik Isah, Director General of the Kogi State Utility, Infrastructure Management and Compliance Agency (KUIMCA); and Engr. Abraham Oshadami of the NCC, among others.
