Connect with us

Customs

Costs of food items set to crash as Customs releases zero duty guidelines on  husked brown rice, beans, wheat, millet, maize  grain Sorghum.

Wale Adeniyi, CGC
 Funso OLOJO 
The Nigeria Customs Service has finally released the guidelines for the importation of selected food items with zero duty.
It would be recalled that in order to crash the soaring costs of food items in the market, the federal government announced a six-month duty waiver on some critical food items whose costs have gone through the roof.
The affected food items include husked brown rice, beans, wheat, millet, maize and grain sorghum.
In a press statement by the Customs Authority in Abuja on Wednesday, August 14th, 2024, the service rolled out the guidelines and conditions that any importer who wishes to take part in this special interim arrangement must fulfill.
“Drawing from the Presidential directives aimed at alleviating the hardship faced by Nigerians due to high prices of essential food items, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is pleased to announce that His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Honourable Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun has approved the regulation for the implementation of a Zero Percent Duty Rate (0%) and Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption on selected basic food items.
“This policy is effective from 15th July 2024 and will remain in force until 31st December 2024.
“This measure aims to mitigate the high cost of food items in the Nigerian market by making essential commodities more affordable for citizens.
“The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to address food security challenges and ensure that basic foodstuffs are accessible to all Nigerians.
” However, it is important to emphasise that while this temporary measure is intended to address current hardships, it does not undermine the long-term strategies put in place to safeguard local Farmers and protect Manufacturers.
“It is pertinent to note that the implementation of this policy will focus on addressing the national supply gap.
“To participate in the zero-duty importation of basic food items, a company must be incorporated in Nigeria and have been operational for at least five years.
“It must have filed annual returns and financial statements and paid taxes and statutory payroll obligations for the past five years.
” Companies importing husked brown rice, grain sorghum, or millet need to own a milling plant with a capacity of at least 100 tons per day, operated for at least four years, and have enough farmland for cultivation.
“Those importing maize, wheat, or beans must be agricultural companies with sufficient farmland or feed mills/agro-processing companies with an out-grower network for cultivation.
“The basic food items eligible for the zero percent duty rate are as follows:
S/N Item Description ECOWAS CET H.S. Code Previous Duty Rate + Levy New Duty Rate
I. Husked Brown Rice 1006.20.00.00 30% 0%
II. Grain Sorghum – Other 1007.90.00.00 5% 0%
III. Millet – Other 1008.29.00.00 5% 0%
IV. Maize – Other 1005.90.00.00 5% 0%
V. Wheat – Other 1001.19.00.00 20% 0%
VI. Beans 0713.31.90.00 20% 0%
“The Federal Ministry of Finance will periodically provide the NCS with a list of importers and their approved quotas to facilitate the importation of these basic food items within the framework of this policy.
“The policy requires that at least 75% of imported items be sold through recognised commodities exchanges, with all transactions and storage recorded.
” Companies must keep comprehensive records of all related activities, which the government can request for compliance verification.
“If a company fails to meet its obligations under the import authorisation, it will lose all waivers and must pay the applicable VAT, levies, and import duties.
“This penalty also applies if the company exports the imported items in their original or processed form outside Nigeria.
“The Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi remains committed to supporting government policies to enhance food security and promote economic stability.
“The Service urges all stakeholders to cooperate fully in implementing this initiative for the benefit of all Nigerians”
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Customs

Kaila, Seme Customs CAC, seeks collaboration with stakeholders to achieve seemless trade along border corridor 

Funso OLOJO, Editor
The new Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has  reached out to traditional rulers and  sister agencies at the border communities to ensure the achievement of his mandate of detection, determent of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.
To achieve these objectives, Comptroller Kaila went on tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought for the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.
According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.
Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.
“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.
“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling.
“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said
 The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request.
” Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.
Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border  communities
“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required.
” In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he mentioned
While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC, Comptroller Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.
“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need.
“Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better, ” he said
In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.
The  Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy  Medugu,expressed the  readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.
“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility.
” Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said
The Area Controller then ended his familirisation tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.
Continue Reading

Customs

SIFAX Group sponsors Customs feature film “Novara”

– a story- telling movie on the sacrifices, resilience of customs officers in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders 
Gloria Odion, Maritime reporter 
In a landmark evening that brought together the worlds of commerce, security, and storytelling, SIFAX Group was prominently recognised as a major sponsor at the star-studded premiere of ‘Novara’,  the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) debut feature film, held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Viva Cinemas, Jara Mall, Ikeja, Lagos.
The high-profile event, which drew senior customs officials, industry leaders, members of the diplomatic community, and entertainment figures, marked an unprecedented moment in Nigeria’s institutional storytelling, with the NCS leveraging the power of cinema to illuminate the bravery and sacrifices of its officers in the relentless fight against smuggling.
Representing SIFAX Group at the event was Mrs Ololade Dawodu, Head of Clearing and Forwarding at SIFAX Shipping, who delivered an address that drew a direct line between the film’s narrative and the realities of maritime operations at Nigeria’s ports.
She noted that the story resonates strongly with real-life operations at Tin Can Island Port, one of Nigeria’s busiest commercial gateways and a critical hub within SIFAX Group’s operational landscape.
“For those of us in the industry, the sight of cargo ships and port operations is familiar but this film takes us beyond the surface, revealing the high-stakes reality that underpins global logistics.” she said.
Dawodu emphasised that the story goes beyond entertainment, serving as a tribute to the courage and resilience of officers who protect the nation’s economic lifelines.
She pointed to the film’s portrayal of loss and sacrifice as a sobering reminder of the human cost tied to security enforcement.
“At SIFAX Group, we believe that a secure maritime sector is the backbone of a thriving economy. Without security, trade cannot flourish.” she stated.
SIFAX Group’s partnership with the initiative did not go unnoticed.
The film’s producer, Agozie Ugwu, and the Superintendent of Customs 1, Mr Okpanachi Adejoh, both publicly commended SIFAX Group’s contributions to the project’s success, describing the Group’s sponsorship as instrumental in bringing the story to the screen at the scale it deserved.
The premiere concluded on a reflective note, with guests commending both the storytelling and the collaboration between the creative industry and key institutions.
 For SIFAX Group, the evening reinforced a clear message: sustainable growth in trade and logistics depends not only on infrastructure and expertise, but also on unwavering commitment to security.
About ‘Novara’
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Agozie Ugwu and featuring veteran Nollywood actors Francis Duru and Ray Adeka, Novara tells the story of a dedicated customs officer navigating the dangers of undercover operations, while also shedding light on the personal sacrifices made by law enforcement personnel.
 Through its narrative, the film highlights the often-unseen risks involved in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders.
The film follows Superintendent Panshak Asiya, an undercover Customs officer who risks everything, including the safety of his family, to dismantle one of the country’s most dangerous smuggling syndicates.
Beyond its gripping action sequences, the film explores themes of love, faith, sacrifice, and the unseen human cost of law enforcement.
Continue Reading

Customs

Customs seeks strong commitment to war against narcotics trafficking in Nigeria

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
–renews partnership with NDLEA for effective operations
The Comptroller- General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has warned that weak and uncoordinated institutional fight against drug trafficking may undermine Nigeria’ s standing in international community.
Leading a high- powered Customs delegation to a strategic meeting with the leadership of the  National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) held at the headquarters of the anti- narcotics agency on Monday, April 27th, 2026, Adeniyi said that Nigeria must show strong commitment, clinical enforcement and transparency in its fight against narcotics trafficking in order to enhance the confidence of international community.
Addressing the joint meeting between the top- ranked Customs officers and the leadership of the NDLEA led by its Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), the Customs boss stated that narcotics trafficking is in the front burner of discussions at international fora and the West African corridor is under serious scrutiny.
Adeniyi further declared that the fight against drug trafficking now goes beyond domestic enforcement, warning that Nigeria’s credibility before international partners depends largely on how effectively local institutions work together.
“I came here directly from international engagements in Europe and Asia, and at every table, narcotics trafficking remained a major issue. The West African corridor is under serious watch.”
“The agreements we sign abroad will only carry value when our operational credibility at home supports them.
“If intelligence shared with Nigeria is not pursued to interception, prosecution and destruction, our standing is weakened,” CGC Adeniyi said.
The Customs boss disclosed that the Service had continued to make major seizures and handovers to NDLEA, particularly through the Apapa Command and other operational formations.
 Adeniyi, however, stressed that interdiction alone was not enough, calling for stronger post-seizure accountability, regular prosecution updates and transparent destruction procedures.
 “Interdiction is only the first act of enforcement, not the last. Where narcotics are transferred but not promptly destroyed, where prosecution advances without feedback, and where exhibits are separated from originating officers, then the chain of enforcement is incomplete.”, he declared.
The Customs boss proposed a fresh framework between both agencies, including joint destruction of seized drugs where suspects are not arrested, periodic case status reports, coordinated court appearances and standing liaison channels at command level.
“We have not come here to apportion blame. We have come to design the next phase of a partnership that has carried Nigeria this far and must now carry it further,” the CGC declared.
Responding, the NDLEA Chairman described the concerns raised by Customs as legitimate and timely, assuring that the agency remains committed to transparency, accountability and professional cooperation.
“The concerns relating to post-transfer accountability, prosecution outcomes and disposal processes are valid concerns.
“We must move beyond ceremonial handovers to a structured and mandatory reporting framework under which NDLEA provides formal updates on investigations, prosecutions and final disposal of Customs-originated seizures.” Marwa noted.
The NDLEA boss proposed the immediate establishment of a joint committee to review grey areas in the existing Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) signed by both agencies under previous administrations.
According to him, the committee would recommend clearer procedures and, where necessary, draft a supplementary agreement for approval by both leaderships, stating, “Today’s meeting is timely. It gives us the opportunity to discuss areas of concern frankly and strengthen our collaboration.”
Continue Reading

Trending