In a move that could significantly reduce the cost of imports and bolster trade, the Federal Government is working to remove the seven per cent surcharge currently imposed on imported goods.
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a stakeholder town hall meeting held yesterday in Lagos on the new B’Odogwu clearance system. He said the proposed removal of the surcharge is already undergoing legislative processes and, once implemented, will lower the overall duties paid on cargo, potentially attracting more international business into Nigeria.
“The moment the surcharge is removed, duties paid on all cargoes would reduce. We believe this will help enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness and stimulate more trade,” Adeniyi said.
The Customs boss also used the occasion to reaffirm the NCS’s commitment—alongside the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to homegrown innovation, stakeholder-driven reforms, and transparent communication as part of the broader push to modernise Nigeria’s customs processes and improve trade facilitation.
Themed ‘Enhancing Trade Compliance and System Optimisation Through Stakeholder Engagement’, the event gathered a wide range of players across the trade ecosystem, including importers, shipping companies, terminal operators, logistics firms, banks, and regulators.
During the session, Adeniyi emphasised the value of stakeholder feedback in refining the newly introduced B’Odogwu automated clearance platform. He acknowledged several teething issues, including login problems, migration delays from the previous NICIS II system, and payment disruptions. He said consultations are ongoing with authorised banks to resolve these concerns.
The NCS is also considering more grassroots-friendly engagement strategies, with plans to localise user education materials using Nigerian languages and Pidgin English to improve accessibility and understanding.
“Technology is not cheap, and we ask for your understanding and cooperation. We are determined to make this system work for everyone,” Adeniyi said.
On his part, Tiku Allu, Head of Import and Trade Relations at the Central Bank of Nigeria, stressed the importance of the apex bank’s involvement in technical committees dealing with trade and payment challenges. He said CBN’s presence would help escalate unresolved issues swiftly through the right policy channels and ensure alignment with broader financial regulations.
“If technical committees are working on payment-related issues, the CBN should be involved to ensure proper oversight and faster resolution,” he said.
At a panel session, Olusina Ogunlesi, Factory Logistics Manager at British American Tobacco (BAT), highlighted the operational hurdles his company faced during the migration to the new platform. He expressed concerns over what he described as a lack of institutional trust in automation, noting that parallel manual verifications by some agencies often undermine the efficiency of the system.
“We need to build trust in the technology, not just from users but also from the regulatory bodies,” Ogunlesi said. He advocated for stronger collaboration and harmonisation of trade protocols between Customs, businesses, and international stakeholders, drawing comparisons with BAT’s operations in other countries like Mexico.
Francis Onyeji, Head of the SON Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) in Lagos, also weighed in, stressing the importance of early verification of trade certifications. He recommended that certification processes be concluded up to two years before goods arrive in Nigeria to prevent delays and disruptions.
He further urged importers, exporters, and regulators to work more closely to uphold product quality standards and foster a reliable trading environment.
“Deepening collaboration is key. We must maintain high standards while simplifying compliance frameworks to support long-term growth,” Onyeji concluded.
The removal of the surcharge, if passed into law, is expected to complement the government’s broader efforts to streamline trade processes, reduce business costs, and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a hub for regional and global commerce.
