Customs Service Calls for Review of Import Waivers

The Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, has advocated for a comprehensive legislative review of Nigeria's import waiver and concession regime. During a retreat in Abuja for the Senate Committee on Customs, Adeniyi urged the National Assembly to evaluate whether these incentives justify their fiscal costs and align with the economic goals for which they were established.

He emphasized the need for legislative oversight to focus on the design of digital systems in customs operations rather than individual cargo clearances. Adeniyi highlighted that a significant volume of imports enters Nigeria under government-approved concessions, which necessitates legislative scrutiny.

He revealed that the value of Import Duty Exemption Certificate approvals reached N34 trillion in 2025, with 60% allocated for military hardware due to security challenges. Additionally, he called for a post-implementation review of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, stating that three years of implementation have provided evidence for necessary amendments.