A cross-section of Nigerians has expressed anger over the new charges on courier services imposed by the Nigerian Postal Service.

The agency recently announced new fees for courier and logistic business operators increasing the new license fees for Municipal operators to N1 million, and annual renewals fees to 40% of new license fees at N400,000.00 a year.

State operators’ fees also rose to N2 million, regional to N5 million, national to N10 million, while international operators are meant to pay N20 million as license fees. All license renewal fees are pegged at 40% of license fees per zone.

The development has sparked outrage among Nigerians on social media.

See some reactions below:

At a time when govts all around the world (including Nigerian state govts) are reducing taxes, granting tax holidays and helping out small businesses, the Federal Govt wants to enforce Stamp Duty and NIPOST Courier Licence fees? I don’t get it.

— Dr Joe Abah (@DrJoeAbah) July 25, 2020

NIPOST has just declared war on SMEs in Nigeria, sadly on the eve of the #LagosSMEbootcamp. Logistics has become a flashpoint of trade during COVID, many SMEs relying on it for transactions, & many youths who lost income elsewhere investing. What is happening is a tragedy. Thread

— Ayò-Bánkólé Akíntújoyè (@AyoBankole) July 24, 2020

If NIPOST was working effectively and serving the needs of the everyday Nigerian, would there be a need for the plenty logistics companies? I've said it before, most of the policies developed in this country are meant to kill business owners and the masses in general.

— Adewale Adetona (@iSlimfit) July 24, 2020

I didn’t quit my 8-6 to become a full time entrepreneur and a hustler for Nipost to frustrate my business.
A graduate of mass communication but now a full time entrepreneur.
I won’t be forced to the street or beg to feed. #SayNoToNipostFee pic.twitter.com/ndx5qkRiNy

— Anita Vams (@a__vanita) July 25, 2020

I started this logistics business in 2017 with 5 motorcycles. 3 of my bikers were OND holders while the remaining 2 attended NOUN university (they sponsored themselves). With that NIPOST policy, how will the business survive? How will bikers survive? What type of country is this? https://t.co/yu61HH94nc

— Opeyemi Babalola (@CACCOT1) July 24, 2020

Do you know how many young people have created opportunities for themselves through social retail?
Payment companies like Flutterwave and Paystack just plugged into this and NIPOST is here to frustrate everyone with charges that even they can’t justify.

— A. Onafuye (@FunkeOnafuye) July 24, 2020

Nipost want to be operators and regulators at the same time. Interesting.

— AG BABY (@adekunleGOLD) July 25, 2020

Nipost fee will discourage millions of venture into the logistic business. Hardworking Nigerian Youth deserve a conducive environment for businesses not exploitation. We collectively and categorically #SayNoToNipostFee pic.twitter.com/qT1XuIZyEi

— Noble 🔴 (@Noble_Hassan) July 25, 2020

Federal Government Halts Implementation

Reacting to the clamour by Nigerians on social media, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, ordered NIPOST to halt the implementation of the new charges.

Responding via his twitter handle, Mr Pantami said: “Please NIPOST, our attention has been drawn to an increase of licence fee, which was not part of the regulation I earlier approved for you. Your chairman and PMG (Postmaster-General) were yesterday contacted to put the implementation on hold and send a report to our ministry by Monday. Best wishes!”