Radio and television licence fees in Lagos
Many Lagos residents might not even remember one law approved 8 years ago, in 2010. It's about radio and television licence fees in Lagos, and this fee has to be paid by everyone who live in particular districts of the city and love to watch TV or listen to the radio. Do you know how much you have to pay? What is the license some of us still don't know anything about? Is it something illegal or completely official?
Radio and TV licence in Lagos
Nigerians have to pay various levies to their government and local councils. Some of the taxes sound surprising, especially in the 21st century but they exist legally. One of the laws passed in 2010 approved special taxes collected by local government council (LGC) in Lagos State and across some other areas across Nigeria.
Right now, we would like to talk about radio and TV license in Lagos, and this is not a broadcasting license. It is the tax and levies that are to be collected within the State.
The law that outlines the list of Lagos licenses to be paid by citizens includes the following official taxes and levies LCDA/LGC to be collected:
- TV and radio licence fee
- Kiosk/Shop fee
- Liquor sale license
- Tenement fee
- Fee for registering street names
- Motorcycle/tricycle/bicycle/truck/canoe/cart fee
- Pet fees
- Parking fees
- Vehicle radio licence fee
- Transmitter/communication equipment fees
- Fee for registering births, marriages, deaths
- Slaughter slab taxes
As you can see there is the item on this list about ‘radio and tv license fee in Lagos’ and this means that those people who are watching TV or listening to radio stations at home are forced to pay for using mass media.
P.S. If you have TV or radio in your motor vehicles, you don’t have to pay radio and TV license fee in Lagos, since this option is excluded from the 2010 law.
READ ALSO: History of television in Nigeria
Radio and TV license fee in Lagos
Since the license on using television and radio are official in Lagos State, Lagosians need to know how much it costs.
As people note, they usually pay 1,500 Naira (per household) annually for using TVs and radios at home. Companies and individuals who actually operate radios or televisions in their offices have to pay 50,000 Naira per year. These fees can be paid through bank office.
Who has to pay for their TV and radio licence in Lagos:
- People who have TV or radio equipment in their house/flat/apartment.
- Store owners who have TV or radio equipment in their business location.
Who doesn’t have to pay the TV taxes:
- People and businesses who have no TV/radio instrument or equipment in their store/at home.
As stated by law (No. 9, 2010), only authorized people can collect the official radio and television licence fees in Lagos. They are allowed by law to enter your office at working hours and inspect everything. Those businesses and individuals who forget to pay their 1,500 or 50,000 Naira license fee per year will have to pay the extra fine of 5,000 or 50,000 Naira or even end up in jail for up to 3 months.
P.S. It is way cheaper to get the license for using TV and radio at your residence in Lagos than paying for the same kind of license for operating TVs/radios in a business office.
READ ALSO: List of radio stations in Nigeria and their owners
Source: Legit.ng
