News
Nigeria Customs Service, Manufacturers Association Hold Meeting on High-level Strategic Consultation
In a significant move to strengthen industrial growth and economic development, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) held a high-level strategic consultation today in Abuja.
The meeting followed a directive from the Federal Ministry of Finance regarding the temporary suspension of the 4% Free on Board (FOB) surcharge, creating a platform for broad stakeholder engagement as mandated by the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The session featured frank and constructive dialogue on critical issues affecting Nigeria’s manufacturing environment. Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing Nigeria’s economic transformation through improved manufacturing performance and enhanced trade facilitation.
Key Outcomes from the Consultation
One of the major announcements from the meeting was the approval of strategic exemptions from the 4% FOB surcharge for several categories of manufacturers. This followed consultations between the NCS and the Honourable Minister of Finance.
The exemptions cover:
- Manufacturers importing raw materials, spares, and machinery under Chapters 98 and 99 of the Customs Tariff.
- MAN members not currently under these chapters will be onboarded to enable access to the exemption.
- The tripartite collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Finance, NCS, and MAN will expedite this onboarding process.
- Any 4% FOB charges already paid by manufacturers awaiting onboarding will be credited for future transactions.
- Exemptions also extend to:
- Government projects with Import Duty Exemption Certificates (IDEC)
- Goods imported for humanitarian and life-saving purposes
- Beneficiaries of the Presidential Initiative on unlocking the healthcare value chain
- Spare parts for commercial airlines
Issues Raised by MAN
The Manufacturers Association identified several pressing challenges impacting industrial operations, including:
- Implementation concerns around the 4% FOB funding model
- Multiple checkpoints hampering trade facilitation
- Redundant alerts within the customs clearance system
- Glitches on the B’Odogwu platform
In response, the NCS detailed its ongoing trade facilitation initiatives, which include:
- Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) scheme
- Advance Ruling system
- Time Release Studies aimed at improving cargo clearance efficiency
The AEO programme, in particular, was lauded by MAN, with a mutual agreement that NCS would issue a clear guideline for participation.
A Shift Towards Modern Trade Infrastructure
Further discussions centered on future-focused initiatives such as:
- Development of a one-stop shop framework to streamline regulatory processes
- Reduction of excessive checkpoints and elimination of unnecessary bottlenecks
- Deployment of digital solutions for real-time clearance and risk assessment
- Strengthened technology partnerships to support seamless trade operations
Institutionalizing Regular Dialogue
To sustain momentum, both organizations agreed to institutionalize regular consultations through:
- Pre-implementation engagement on policy changes
- Real-time feedback mechanisms to assess impact
- Scheduled review meetings to evaluate progress and identify new collaboration areas
A Unified Vision for Economic Transformation
The engagement concluded with a unified commitment from NCS and MAN to support:
- Job creation
- Export promotion
- Import substitution
- Foreign exchange conservation
- Development of industrial clusters
Both institutions emphasized that predictable regulatory environments, underpinned by robust dialogue and innovation, are crucial to sustaining growth.
The Nigeria Customs Service pledged to maintain ongoing consultations with manufacturers, implement technology-driven reforms, and provide regular policy updates. MAN, in turn, committed to supporting regulatory compliance among its members and contributing industry insights to shape effective customs policies.
This engagement marks a renewed partnership between two key institutions, demonstrating that structured collaboration can deliver measurable outcomes for national economic advancement.
News
NESREA Probes Mysterious Cloud-Like Substance on Kaduna-Abuja Expressway (Images)
Nigeria’s National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has commenced an urgent investigation into a strange white, foamy, cloud-like substance that appeared along the busy Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.

The unusual substance drew crowds and sparked widespread online speculation, with some initially mistaking it for “fallen clouds.” NESREA has warned residents and motorists to avoid the area, describing it as a suspected chemical spill possibly linked to a truck accident.
Agency officials from the Kaduna State Field Office visited the site, collected samples of the foam, soil, and nearby water for laboratory analysis to determine its composition and potential environmental or health risks.

Further updates are expected as tests continue. Motorists are advised to exercise caution on the expressway.
News
President Trump Writes President Tinubu, Lauding His Decisive Leadership Against Terrorists
“It is a true honour to stand with you in the fight against these terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous.”
US President Donald Trump has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decisive leadership against terrorism.
In a letter to President Tinubu, President Trump applauded Tinubu’s resolve “to tackle the issues plaguing Nigeria, especially the violence affecting Christian communities.”
According to Trump: “It is a true honour to stand with you in the fight against these terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous.”
The US-Nigeria relationship flourished in recent times, with the two sides working closely in key areas, especially in tackling security challenges afflicting parts of Nigeria.
In November last year, President Trump and President Tinubu agreed to establish a Joint Working Group co-headed by the National Security Advisers of Nigeria and the United States.
Through the work of the working group, the two sides agreed on several steps, including training, intelligence sharing, and joint operations to roll back terrorist activities.
A highlight of the collaboration was the May 16 coordinated attack on ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad area, which led to the killing of the group’s top leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, and many of his lieutenants.
Last week, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja, where he held meetings with senior government officials and pledged to strengthen the cooperation between Abuja and Washington DC in security and other areas of collaboration.
Full text of the letter dated July 6, 2026: Dear Mr President, “Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Your kind words mean a great deal to me, and I appreciate your decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people.
I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities and it is a true honor to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous.
“The United States-Nigeria relationship is crucial at a time where conflict has spread across West Africa and around the world. We both share a mutual goal of confronting terrorism in all its forms, and our historic US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has established a robust framework to accomplish this feat.
“I am proud to have deployed the United States Special Operations Forces—among the most elite military units anywhere in the world—to equip the brave men and women in the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the skills, tools and intelligence they need to protect your homeland and ensure the safety and security of citizens, particularly those of faith who have been under attack. I look forward to our continued discussions over the course of my Presidency.
” Sincerely, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America.
News
Excitement as Tinubu approves new army battalion for Kwara
The battalion will be located in Omu Aran, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area, and is expected to boost troop deployment and military operations, particularly in areas affected by kidnappings and bandit attacks.
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new Army battalion in the State to strengthen security and tackle banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Mashood Agboola, Governor AbdulRazaq, said that the battalion will be located in Omu Aran, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area, and is expected to boost troop deployment and military operations, particularly in areas affected by kidnappings and bandit attacks.
He described the approval as another demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing security challenges in the state.
The governor thanked President Tinubu for approving the new military formation, saying it would strengthen ongoing counterterrorism and anti-kidnapping operations.
“We are confident the new battalion will greatly strengthen counterterrorism and anti-kidnapping operations,” he said.
AbdulRazaq also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for the swift processing of the request, and appreciated the Office of the National Security Adviser and other security agencies for their efforts to combat violent crime.
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