Nigerian businesses have welcomed relief as the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has ordered the suspension of the controversial 4% Free on Board (FOB) import charge previously imposed by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The directive, contained in a letter dated September 15, 2025, and signed by the Permanent Secretary (Special Duties) in the Ministry of Finance, O. Omachi, on behalf of Minister Wale Edun, instructed the Customs Comptroller-General to halt implementation of the levy.
According to the ministry, the decision followed extensive consultations with stakeholders, trade experts, and government officials, which revealed that the 4% FOB charge posed serious risks to trade facilitation, inflation, competitiveness, and Nigeria’s overall business climate.
“This suspension will provide an opportunity for comprehensive stakeholder engagement and a thorough review of the levy’s framework and its broader economic implications,” the letter stated.
The move comes after widespread outrage from manufacturers and importers, who had decried the reintroduction of the charge earlier this year despite an earlier suspension in February.
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