When governments see companies as cash cows instead of partners, the economy becomes a battlefield. Kogi State’s war on MTN isn’t just about taxes — it’s a survival tactic. And in survival mode, progress always becomes collateral damage.
In Kogi State, the lights went out — not because of a power outage, but because the mobile network was severed. MTN, Nigeria’s telecom giant, had been shut down by state authorities, and the reason wasn’t entirely clear. There were claims of unpaid taxes, allegations of regulatory violations, and accusations of unlawful operations. But the real story was about something much deeper.
This wasn’t just a dispute between a state and a corporate giant. It was a symbol of a broader crisis — one where state governments are increasingly replacing businesses with the Federal Allocations as their primary lifeline to survive.
Kogi’s action wasn’t new — it had happened before in 2018, where telecom operators and other major businesses faced similar threats. But what makes this different is the sense of desperation.
Federal allocations, which most states rely on to fund their budgets, have been shrinking. With oil revenues in freefall, states like Kogi are being forced to find new ways to fill the gap. And that gap has become increasingly targeted at companies that are profitable, mobile, and essential — like MTN.
“If MTN isn’t paying, who will?” one local official remarked — a sentiment echoed by many who feel the weight of the state’s financial crises.
However, the consequences of this heavy-handed approach are more far-reaching than just a dispute over taxes.
By attacking the very companies that drive employment, commerce, and connectivity, Kogi risks crippling its own future. Beyond the shutdown, hundreds of small businesses, students, and families in the state are bearing the brunt. Their day-to-day lives — connected to the digital world — have been put on hold.
As one local shopkeeper lamented:
“I can’t run my business without a phone network. They’ve just cut me off from my customers.”
“When survival becomes strategy, good business becomes an easy target.”
But this isn’t just a Kogi problem. It’s a national issue. If states continue to view thriving businesses as their cash cows and necessary evils, they’ll turn Nigeria’s private sector into a battlefield.
Kogi’s latest action is a cautionary tale about how desperate financial tactics can destroy long-term prosperity. Investor confidence will plummet, and other states may follow the same perilous path. The result? A shrinking private sector, job losses, and an economy that grows slower than ever.
In the rush to fill gaps, Kogi must ask itself: Do they want to kill the very businesses that keep the lights on, or do they want to collaborate to build a sustainable future?
The war against MTN might offer short-term revenue, but at what cost? When the state targets one of Nigeria’s largest employers, it’s not just about taxes anymore — it’s about trust.
Without trust, without stability, the progress Nigeria needs will always remain just out of reach.
You can’t build an economy by killing the companies that power it.
Kogi’s battle with MTN is a warning shot. Will Nigeria heed it before it’s too late?
“You can’t build an economy by killing the companies that power it.”
What do you think? Is this the path Nigeria wants to take — or is it time for a new approach to governance and business in the country? Share your thoughts.
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