Nigeria’s New Import Levies: Customs 4%, NPA 15%, Spark Outrage: Business Leaders and Lawmakers Call for Immediate Reversal

A new wave of dissatisfaction broke out in the business sectors and the manufacture of Nigeria after the introduction of a new administrative burden of 4% on the value of Libre-Bord (FOB) imports by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS ) and a 15% hiking proposal in port charges by Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The stakeholders of the industry, in particular the Consultative Association of Employers of Nigeria (NECA), the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), and the former president of the Senate Bukola Saraki, condemned these policies, warning that they will give disastrous economic consequences.

NECA has firmly criticized the levy of 4% newly imposed by the NCS, describing it as a desperate decision to achieve its objective of ambitious income of 10 billions described in the national budget of 2025. The association warned that the new costs extract From 2.84 additional nairas billions to private companies, which would result in an 80% increase in import duties for industries.

According to Neca Director of Neca, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, the levy contradicts the current tax reforms to harmonize the Nigeria tax system and reduce commercial costs.

“Although the government can achieve its income objectives, the unexpected consequences will be serious – the higher costs of goods, business closings, increase in unemployment and worsening economic difficulties for millions of citizens,” said declared Oyerinde.

He also noted that the annual import volume of 71 Billions from N to Nigeria means that the new sample will considerably swell production costs for industries that depend on imported raw materials. The result, he warned, would be higher inflation, deeper poverty and a decreased investment climate.

In addition, Oyerinde accused the NCS of prioritizing the generation of income within its main mandate of facilitating trade and stimulating economic development. He urged the government to reverse the tax immediately and to engage with stakeholders to find more sustainable means of revenue.

Manufacturers warn against economic collapse

The Association of Manufacturers of Nigeria (Man) has also weighed, urging the NPA to suspend its planned increase of 15% of port prices, warning that the decision is poorly invented and contradicts the federal government’s commitment to improve the ease of do Nigeria business.

The director general of man, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, deplored that the manufacturing sector is already in difficulty under the weight of high production costs, the volatility of foreign exchange and the increase in energy prices.

“The current economic climate of Nigeria is characterized by an increase in inflation, exchange challenges and a drop in the use of industrial capacities. The imposition of additional costs to manufacturers will only increase the crisis, “said Ajayi-Kadir.

He also warned that the increase in port prices would make the ports of Nigeria less competitive in regional trade, leading to the diversion of goods to neighboring countries like Ghana and the Republic of Benin. This, he said, would reduce government income and fuel smuggling.

Man suggested that the NPA should focus on reducing the execution time for ships, improving the efficiency of goods clearance and elimination of bureaucratic bottlenecks rather than the Increase in costs.

“The alignment of Nigerian port costs with the best world practices will attract more commercial volume and naturally increase income, without strangling businesses,” added Ajayi-Kadir.

The former president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, joined the opposition, qualifying the customs levy of 4% an unjustified financial burden to the Nigerians. Taking at its handle X (formerly Twitter) verified, Saraki warned that the levy would further impoverish citizens, as importers will transfer additional costs to consumers.

“With our annual imports estimated at 71 Billions of Nairas, the new customs costs of 4% will amount to 2.84 Billions of Nairas. Does this mean that customs need 2.84 additional nairas billions each year to work? Asked Saraki.

He stressed that the NCS already receives a budgetary allowance and incentives for total customs duties received. Now, he argued, the agency wishes to impose an additional $ 1.5 billion in operating costs at a time when the majority of Nigerians struggle.

“Importers will inevitably transmit these costs to consumers, household budget tension and worsening economic difficulties,” said Saraki.

Saraki has also criticized the general nature of the levy, which applies to all imports, including essential raw materials for industries. This means that companies that pay only 5% of import duties for raw materials will now face an increase of 80% due to new administrative costs.

“How does it support the government’s facility to do a commercial policy?” This policy must be reconsidered immediately, “he insisted.

NCS and NPA justify policies

Despite the backlash, Nigeria Customs Service defended the levy, saying that it complies with Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023. The NCS said that FOB costs of 4% are necessary for the effective operation of service and that in -depth consultations had taken place before its implementation.

The NPA, on its part, defended its increase in prices by 15%, arguing that it is essential to fight against aging infrastructure, obsolete equipment and slow expansion of ports. The agency noted that the Nigerian port accusations had not been examined since 1993 and that an adjustment was long expected to align local ports in accordance with international standards.

“This increase is necessary to improve port efficiency and competitiveness,” said the NPA.

A model for increasing corporate costs

This last series of samples and prices increases follows a model of costs for companies in Nigeria. Recently, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reintroduced a controversial cybercrime tax, and several agencies have increased taxes and costs to achieve income targets.

“The government seems more focused on the extraction of income than the creation of a hably commercial environment,” said Neca.

The impact is already obvious, with Nigerian manufacturers in difficulty under high inflation, unstable exchange rates and a decrease in the purchasing power of consumers. Many companies, including multinationals, have left Nigeria, citing an unfavorable commercial climate.

What is the next step?

The growing opposition to these new accusations suggests that pressure can compete on the government to reconsider or suspend their implementation. NECA and man called for an urgent dialogue with the federal government, urging political decision -makers to focus on long -term economic reforms rather than on short -term income seizures.

The question of whether the government will take into account these calls remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: if these samples take place, they could trigger an economic slowdown, resulting in higher inflation, no more job losses and confidence in reduced investors.

For the moment, importers, manufacturers and ordinary Nigerians can only prepare for more difficult times to come.