Customs suspends import duties and taxes on staple foodstuffs

In order to address widespread hunger in the country, Nigerian Customs has expressed its readiness to implement the suspension of import duties and taxes on basic food items imposed by the Federal Government.

Its Controller General Bashir Adeniyi made the announcement on Monday in a video shared on the official NCS account X, just days before the start of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests on August 1.

Aware of the country’s economic challenges, Adeniyi said the suspension would make food affordable for Nigerians.

He said: “Global inflation is affecting countries across the world, including Nigeria. To counter this, the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Customs Service, is suspending import duties and taxes on basic food items to make them more affordable.

“We are committed to implementing this measure seamlessly to solve the hunger problem in our country. We have streamlined export processes to ensure that Nigerian goods reach international markets efficiently.

The customs chief warned that disruptions in the supply chain would affect foreign investment, distort trade, promote instability, increase shortages and hamper tax collection.