When all federal MDAs adopted that all their revenues must be paid via Remita some time ago, every Nigerian took it as another bold step towards blocking leakages in government coffers. Buy as time went on, it was decided that the payers would be responsible for the charges, it instantly became clear what fraud had been going on before the time.

For the avoidance of doubt, Remita is not doing anything special beyond what Quickteller and other fintechs offer in third party payment services. You can pay into the account of your Disco for electricity, etc. The government accounts were not anything special. The monopoly enjoyed by this company had given way to impunity and taking Nigerians for fools. And our so called Consumer Protection Council chooses to look the other way, all this while.

Remita is the only company whose charges are not regulated by anybody. For example, Remita will charge you N163.94 to pay N500 name reservation fee to the Corporate Affairs Commission. I once had to pay about N2,500 on N50,000 for hostel accommodation at FUNAAB. Remita is the only company that charges based on the amount paid as if we borrowed the money from them.

Every Nigerian knows that part of the huge premium he pays goes around in greasing the 'necessary palms'. But the consolation we have is that another administration will one day emerge, that will walk its talk in fighting corruption. No matter how thick the darkness is in the night, a new day must dawn.