In a bid to address the severe food crisis in Nigeria, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has confirmed and commenced duty-free, tax-free importation of essential food items, including rice, flour, and wheat.
Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi announced this during a press briefing on the service’s half-year performance, stressing that the government is highly committed to reducing food prices.
“We are suspending import duties and taxes on essential food items to make them more affordable,” Adeniyi stated. “We are committed to implementing this measure seamlessly to address the problem of hunger in our nation.”
He added, “We have streamlined export processes to ensure that Nigerian goods reach international markets efficiently. We have introduced tools like the Advanced Ruling System, Authorized Economic Operator, and Time Release Study to enhance trade, stimulate the economy, and create opportunities. Our farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs will now have a faster path to global markets, benefiting their families and communities.”
In July, the Federal Government announced a 150-day duty-free importation of essential food items, including rice, maize, wheat, and cowpea, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. Minister Sen. Abubakar Kyari explained that this move is part of the Presidential Accelerated and Stabilisation Advancement Plan (ASAP), which aims to import 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat and maize to replenish depleted strategic reserves.
However, this policy has sparked criticism from agricultural stakeholders, with former Minister of Agriculture and current African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, warning that food imports could undermine Nigeria’s agricultural policy.
