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Nigeria records N177.2 billion drop in vehicle importation to VIN valuation implementation in 6 months

—- as importation of used cars dropped 
Customs brokers kick
The Eyewitness reporter

The Federal Government may have lost a whopping sum of N 1772.2 billion in revenue in the first half of the year to the implementation of the Vehicles Identification Number (VIN) valuation policy of the Nigeria Customs Service.

It could be recalled that the policy, which seeks to harmonise the tariff system on all imported second-hand vehicles into the country, was first introduced in January 2022.
The VIN valuation system was introduced for the purpose of allocating standard values to all vehicles coming into Nigeria. According to the NCS, the system automatically determines the value of import duty payable on a vehicle immediately the vehicle goes through a dedicated scanning machine.
But due to the outcry and agitation of freight forwarders over some perceived imperfections, the policy was suspended, reviewed and relaunched in May 2022.
However, the implementation of the policy has led to astronomical increases in the tariff of tokunbo vehicles as high as 200 percent.
 This has led to a sharp decrease in the importation of the item arising from the implementation of the policy by the Customs.
According to the data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the number of used cars imported into Nigeria dropped in the first half of 2022 by N177.2 billion
The statistics show that N72.3bn and N96.7bn worth of used vehicles were imported in the first and second quarters of 2022.

In comparison, during the same period of 2021, N174.2 billion worth of used cars were imported in Q1 and N172 billion in Q2.

Analysts claimed that the drop might not be unconnected with the introduction of the VIN policy by Customs for proper valuation of imported used vehicles.

Importers had challenged the Nigerian Customs Service over the implementation of the VIN Valuation policy.

They noted that the scheme had increased the cost of clearing vehicles at the various ports of the country.

The costs of used vehicles, popularly known as Tokunbo, imported into Nigeria dropped in the first half of 2022 (January to June) by N177.2 billion, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Data from NBS titled ‘Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics’, showed that N72.3 billion and N96.7 billion worth of used vehicles were imported in the first and second quarter of 2022 respectively, which amounted to N169bn.

In comparison, Nigerians spent N346.2 billion to import used vehicles during the same period of 2021, including N174.2 billion worth of used cars in Q1 and N172 billion in Q2.

Also, in the second half of 2021, N185.4 billion and N85.7 billion were spent on used vehicles in Q3 and Q4 respectively, which amounted to N271.1 billion.

The drop in the cost of used cars imported into the country might be connected with the introduction of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) early this year for proper valuation of imported used vehicles.

Customs brokers have claimed that the policy has led to a drop in the importation of second-hand vehicles with the attendant drop in revenue to the federal government.
They urged the government to abide by the auto policy and ensure that used vehicles from 2010 were allowed to pay normal duties, rather than the 2013 duties which were imposed on all imported vehicles.

The National Automotive Industry Development Plan Bill, popularly known as Auto Policy, is central to the development of the automotive industry.

 The NAIDP represents the Federal Government’s boldest step at reviving local car assembly in over three decades, according to experts.
The policy, which was introduced in 2014, seeks to encourage local manufacture of vehicles while phasing out the importation of used vehicles. The policy classifies private vehicles above 15 years as overage vehicles.
The Acting National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Mr. Kayode Farinto, said that VIN was supposed to recognize vehicles from 2010 instead of those from 2013 upwards.
He said that the policy had made a lot of people consider bringing in vehicles through unapproved routes.

“What happens is that they started their valuation from 2013. I remember sending a letter to the CG of Customs about this particular issue.

” I told him it was wrong that the policy was for 12 years. They are supposed to start from 2010 or 2011 and up till now, they have not reversed it, which is very bad.
“The issue of the year is a very big one and that is what is discouraging the importation of used vehicles, with people bringing in these vehicles through unapproved routes like Cotonou.
” If the Comptroller General of the Customs works with the Federal Government on that and brings down the VIN valuation to 2011 or thereabout, it will be fine. The loss is big because since they started the VIN valuation, they have not reversed it.”
The National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Mr Lucky Amiwero described the VIN valuation policy as illegal.
“VIN is not legal; it is not a procedural thing anywhere in the world”. he declared.
” Vehicle Identification Number is chassis number and it is not tied to valuation. What Customs have done is in contravention of the law.
” There is a law, Act 20 0f 2003, passed through the Nigerian Shippers Council. That is the law that is based on value. The Customs do not have any other right to put value.”, Amiwero noted.

He said that the VIN had created more problems, noting that the government needed to intervene, if not there would be more problems.

“What they have done is that they are creating a lot of problems. They call it VIN valuation, but it is wrong. It is the vehicle identification number, which is the chassis number.

” It has nothing to do with valuation. The government will lose more if the government does not intervene. I have written to the government on this issue to tell them that what they are doing is wrong.
“What they are doing is illegal. Customs don’t have the right to implement VIN without passing through the National Assembly. It is not legal, it has no legal bearing, and the sooner the government goes back to what they were doing the better.
“Customs introduced that thing and it has created a lot of revenue setbacks for the government. The government should look at it seriously and reduce it and cancel the VIN. It is illegal and should be canceled.”, Amiwero declared.

Meanwhile, a member of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Nnadi Ugochukwu, accused the government of punishing people unnecessarily with the policy.

He said that the government was forcing people to pay for vehicles of nine years old and above instead of the 15 years the law stipulated.

According to him, “The government policy is 15 years, so, it is supposed to start from 2008 for private vehicles.

“So, the government is punishing people unnecessarily, breaking the laws that they made. Is it not the government that said the policy is 15 years now? When you come, they won’t allow you to pay for the 15 years but will make you pay as if the vehicle is nine years old.”

But the Federal Government, through the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, stated that the VIN which is under the National Vehicle Registry (VREG) was to increase revenue and curb smuggling and other criminal activities.

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Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme 

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.
According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.
This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.
The Programme, according to the NCS,  also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.
According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.
“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.
“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.
” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per  through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.
However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.
The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.
The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.
“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.
Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.
The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.
“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.
“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.
“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.
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Customs

Customs takes delivery, commissions 60- bed hospital donated by BUA Group in Bauchi

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, officially commissioned the Abdul Samad Rabiu / Nigeria Customs Service Hospital in Bauchi, a 60-bed healthcare facility constructed and donated by Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of ASR Africa and Founder/Executive Chairman of BUA Group.
The hospital, delivered through the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative, is expected to significantly expand healthcare access for Customs officers, their families and host communities across Zone ‘D’ and neighbouring states.
Describing the project as a strategic welfare investment, the CGC said the facility reflects the Service’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity through improved personnel wellbeing.
 “This commissioning is a clear statement that the NCS prioritises the health and welfare of its officers,” he stated.
“A modern Service requires not only technology and operational reforms, but also strong social infrastructure that supports those who serve.”
In his remarks, the Managing Director/CEO of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, emphasised the intervention’s sustainability focus.
“ASR Africa is committed to impact-driven philanthropy,” he said. “Our partnership with the NCS demonstrates what can be achieved when private sector commitment aligns with institutional reform and clear developmental goals.”
Also delivering a message on behalf of the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, the Secretary to the State Government, Aminu Hammayo, described the commissioning as a boost to the state’s healthcare ecosystem.
“This facility will complement existing public health institutions and improve access to specialised services,” he said.
 “It reflects the value of collaboration between government and responsible corporate entities.”
The hospital’s commissioning marks the culmination of a phased transformation that began in 2008 with the establishment of a basic health post at the Zone ‘D’ Headquarters, Bauchi.
It was subsequently upgraded to a clinic, and later a medical centre, before a 2023 partnership between the NCS and ASR Africa converted it into a 30-bed hospital, completed in April 2025.
Following a needs assessment, the CGC approved the remodelling and expansion of the facility into a 60-bed secondary healthcare facility with selected tertiary services.
Now equipped with seven clinical departments: Nursing Services, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pediatrics, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory, alongside Administrative and Health Information Management units, as well as Dental, Radiology and Nutrition units.
The hospital is projected to manage up to 300 patients per month during its first operational year.
Long-term expansion plans include advanced diagnostics such as CT scans and MRI, as well as specialised surgical procedures, positioning the facility as a referral centre across the North-East and parts of North-Central Nigeria.
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Customs

Ahead of Customs’ paperless operations in June, Comptroller Onyeka declares Tin Can Customs trade enabler

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
Barely few days after the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced that the Customs will migrate to paperless operations in June, 2026, the Tin Can command of the Service has made an elaborate preparation to key into the digital platform.
Even though, the Customs High Command is yet to release the blue print for the take -off of the digital revolution in goods clearance, the Controller of Tin Can Customs, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has declared that his command is ready to hit the ground running.
To this end, Comptroller Onyeka has declared Tin Can Island Customs as a trade enabler where seamless operations will be the order of the day.
While speaking with the maritime media on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026, Onyeka stated that as long as an importer or his agent makes an honest declaration and the consignment is not flagged, such goods will leave the customs control within the 48 hours clearance time being envisaged by the Customs under its paperless operations regime.
Comptroller Onyeka further disclosed that his command will aim at collecting collectable revenue instead of maximum revenue which often leaves no room for trader to handle logistics costs and other sundry charges.
“By focusing on collectable revenue, we ensure that the trader makes profit, return to the market and continues to contribute to the society.
“I want to be known as a trade enabler personified” Comptroller Onyeka enthused.
While making projection into the year 2026, the Customs chief said the command recorded a lot of positives in 2025 when it surpassed the revenue target for that year and when a record revenue collection of 26 billion was recorded in a single day, a feat that was unprecedented in the history of the command.
Onyeka said the command started the year 2026 on a good revenue trajectory with the collection of  N145. 9bn in January, representing a 25.3 percent increase when compared to the N116.4billon  collected in January 2025.
He acknowledged the support of the media for its “constructive reportage” which acted as a catalyst for the good performance of the command in 2025.
While soliciting for the continued support of journalists in 2026, Comptroller Onyeka said his officers have been well primed to confront the challenges ahead.
He dismissed the fears of possible network glitches which stakeholders expressed may hamper the success of the paperless operations, saying such eventuality will be surmounted just as the teething problems which plagued B’ Odogwu platform at take off were conquered.
“Despite the teething problems with B’Odogwu,  we have recorded tremendous success, so we are ready for the paperless operations.
“There could be network issues but I want to urge the trading public to build capacity.
“With that, you can complete container clearance entirely online, with no physical contact with customs officers.
“If your declaration is not flagged, the process will be seamless, there will be no reason to come and see anyone.
“We cannot guarantee a perfect system from day one, but those challenges will not stop us.
” The more traders declare correctly and honestly, the smoother this process becomes for everyone,” he declared while advising importers to palletise their consignments.
It could be recalled that while launching the Customs’ One- Stop- Shop(OSS) on Friday, February 13th, 2026, the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the Service is advancing toward a fully paperless customs environment, with the first phase of digital clearance and documentation processes scheduled for rollout by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
“This platform is a deliberate shift from fragmented interventions to coordinated governance, from discretion to data, and from isolated actions to collective responsibility,” Adeniyi had declared.
 “Through this reform, we continue to build systems that support lawful trade, protect national interests and serve the economy with professionalism and integrity.” he concluded.
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