The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) notes with concern that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) continues to enforce the 4 percent Free-on-Board (FOB) levy despite the Honourable Minister of Finance’s formal directive suspending it.
The Customs has cited Section 18(1)(a) of the NCS Act 2023 as the basis for the levy. While we respect the legislative process, the Minister of Finance is the constitutionally empowered authority for fiscal policy. A duly issued ministerial suspension should take immediate effect unless overturned by the National Assembly or a competent court.
The continued collection of this levy raises import costs, erodes competitiveness, and undermines investor confidence. LCCI therefore calls on the Nigeria Customs Service to recalibrate its systems without delay to reflect the ministerial directive and to issue a public notice confirming compliance. We also urge the Ministry of Finance and the National Assembly to engage promptly to remove any legal ambiguity.
Nigeria’s business community needs policy clarity and institutional coordination to sustain trade, jobs, and economic growth.
