Customs, Manufacturers Meet Over Suspended 4% FOB Levy on Imports
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) on Friday held talks in Lagos to address concerns surrounding the suspended four per cent Free on Board (FOB) levy on imported goods.
Speaking at the MAN Secretariat in Ikeja, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, explained that while the charge is provided for under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, its enforcement must be preceded by broad-based consultations with critical stakeholders.
He stressed that such engagements were necessary to strike a balance between government’s fiscal responsibilities and the need to sustain the growth of the manufacturing sector.
The dialogue followed a directive by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, suspending the implementation of the levy. The suspension was contained in a circular dated September 15, 2025, signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, Raymond Omachi.
Stakeholder Engagement
Addressing manufacturers, Adeniyi said: “Your voices matter. The experiences you share help shape our understanding of how customs procedures can either enable or constrain manufacturing excellence.”
He assured the gathering that the Customs Service has consistently supported manufacturing through initiatives designed to promote industrial competitiveness and trade facilitation.
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According to him, the service has developed a framework to establish one-stop shops for manufacturers, aimed at eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks in dealings with customs and other regulators.
“This initiative will simplify processes, cut down delays, and reduce costs while maintaining security and compliance standards,” Adeniyi said. He also highlighted ongoing digital reforms, including the deployment of the B’Odogwu platform to enable real-time clearance, automated risk assessments, and seamless supply chain integration.
Manufacturers’ Response
President of MAN, Francis Meshioye, commended the Customs Service for opening dialogue with industry players. He noted that issues of trade facilitation, industrial development, and economic growth were crucial to Nigeria’s prosperity.
“What we are witnessing today is the renewal of an important bond. Institutionalising this kind of engagement will help us resolve operational challenges and foster inclusive policy formulation between our two organisations,” he said.
Meshioye praised Adeniyi’s leadership, noting that since becoming Comptroller-General, he had introduced professionalism, innovation, and global recognition to the service.
He urged continuous collaboration to tackle industry challenges, emphasising that solutions would benefit not only the manufacturing sector and Customs but also Nigerians at large.
Next Steps
The meeting marks a renewed effort to build synergy between the Customs Service and manufacturers as government seeks to balance revenue generation with policies that encourage local industrial growth.
By PRNigeria
