MTN Nigeria Communications Plc remitted N295.4 billion in cash income tax for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, representing a jump of approximately 1,271 percent from N21.5 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
According to the company’s unaudited consolidated statement of cash flows, the amount paid was nearly 14 times the prior-year figure. The increase accompanied a 59.4 percent rise in pre-tax profit to N1.80 trillion from N1.13 trillion, while the income tax expense recognised in the income statement climbed 67.6 percent to N630.5 billion from N376.3 billion.
The difference between cash income tax paid and income tax expense reflects the distinction between actual remittances made during the reporting period and the tax charge recognised against earnings.
Key figures for the nine-month period include:
* Tax paid: N295.4 billion, up approximately 1,271 percent from N21.5 billion in the corresponding period of 2025. * Tax expense: N630.5 billion, up 67.6 percent from N376.3 billion. * Revenue: N4.61 trillion, up 23.6 percent from N3.73 trillion. * Operating profit: N1.99 trillion, up 38.2 percent from N1.44 trillion. * Profit before tax: N1.80 trillion, up 59.4 percent from N1.13 trillion. * Profit after tax: N1.17 trillion, up 55.3 percent from N750.2 billion. * EBITDA: N2.62 trillion, up 36.8 percent from N1.92 trillion. * Net cash generated from operating activities: N2.31 trillion, up from N1.56 trillion.
The tax charge of N630.5 billion translated to an effective tax rate of approximately 35.1 percent of profit before tax, compared with 33.4 percent a year earlier. The N295.4 billion paid in cash during the period was lower than the N630.5 billion expense recognised in the income statement.
On the revenue side, MTN Nigeria generated N4.61 trillion in the nine months, a 23.6 percent increase from N3.73 trillion. Operating profit rose 38.2 percent to N1.99 trillion, while EBITDA increased 36.8 percent to N2.62 trillion. Profit after tax climbed 55.3 percent to N1.17 trillion from N750.2 billion, supported by stronger revenue and lower net finance costs, which declined 25.3 percent to N277.0 billion from N370.9 billion. Cash generated from operations rose to N2.87 trillion from N1.97 trillion, and net cash generated from operating activities reached N2.31 trillion from N1.56 trillion after accounting for interest received, finance costs paid and tax payments.
