Customs chief urges review of import waivers and 2023 Act
The Nigeria Customs Service is calling for a legislative review of the country’s import waiver and concession system, questioning whether current incentives still support national economic goals. Bashir Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of Customs, also wants the National Assembly to revisit the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, citing the need to update certain provisions after three years of implementation. He emphasized that Customs reforms should focus on digital modernization and transparent processes, rather than just revenue numbers. Lawmakers were urged to evaluate the effectiveness of waivers and support ongoing reforms to strengthen the agency.
What we know
- Bashir Adeniyi asked the National Assembly to review Nigeria’s import waiver and concession regime, highlighting concerns about their continued relevance and fiscal impact.
- He called for a post-implementation review of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, noting that three years of use have revealed areas needing refinement.
- Adeniyi revealed that Import Duty Exemption Certificate approvals reached about N34tn in 2025, with 60 per cent granted for military hardware procurement.
- The Service generated N7.277tn in 2025, surpassing its annual target by 10.24 per cent, and collected N3.35tn between January and May 2026.
- Lawmakers, including Senator Jibrin Isah, commended the Customs Service’s performance and pledged legislative support for further reforms.
