Joyce Mmereole Okoli
In a major step toward reshaping Nigeria’s industrial and trade environment, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have forged a new path of cooperation following a high-level strategic consultation in Lagos on Friday, September 26, 2025.
The six-hour engagement, which culminated in a joint communiqué signed by Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi and MAN President Francis Meshioye, marks a turning point in the relationship between the two institutions. Both sides committed to deepening collaboration aimed at driving industrial growth, easing trade processes, and enhancing Nigeria’s economic competitiveness.
A key highlight was the approval of strategic exemptions from the 4% Free on Board (FOB) levy, granted by Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
Under the new arrangement, manufacturers importing raw materials, machinery, and spare parts classified under Chapters 98 and 99 of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) will benefit from the exemptions.
Other critical imports including healthcare-related goods, humanitarian supplies, government projects with Import Duty Exemption Certificates, and airline spare parts are also covered.
CGC Adeniyi described the move as a “balancing act” between Customs’ revenue responsibilities and business-friendly reforms. He emphasized that manufacturing remains central to Nigeria’s industrialization and job creation, assuring manufacturers that levy payments already made will be credited for future transactions.
Beyond levy exemptions, Customs unveiled broader reforms designed to ease trade bottlenecks. These include the rollout of a “One-Stop-Shop” trade platform to simplify regulatory processes, reduce bureaucracy, and shorten cargo clearance times. Plans are also in motion to streamline highway checkpoints and address technical hitches in digital trade systems.
Deputy Comptroller General Caroline Niagwan further outlined measures such as the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) scheme, Advance Ruling system, and Time Release Study, all aimed at cutting clearance costs and supporting legitimate businesses.
On his part, MAN President Francis Meshioye welcomed the reforms, praising the new spirit of openness and collaboration under Customs leadership. He noted that the measures would ease manufacturers’ operations, enhance competitiveness, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth.
To institutionalize the partnership, both parties agreed to establish a tripartite consultation mechanism involving Customs, MAN, and the Ministry of Finance for continuous policy dialogue, monitoring, and evaluation. Customs also pledged to issue clear guidelines to enable MAN members’ admission into the AEO scheme.
With these commitments, industry watchers say the agreement could become a game-changer for Nigeria’s manufacturing base, laying the groundwork for stronger industrial growth and trade facilitation in the years ahead.