By Aliyu Galadima
Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, have agreed on a new framework of collaboration aimed at boosting job creation, promoting exports, and conserving foreign exchange through import substitution and industrial cluster development.
At a joint press briefing in Abuja, Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the engagement signaled “a new phase of synergy” between the two critical institutions in Nigeria’s economic landscape.
“Our goal is to create a customs environment that not only ensures revenue collection but actively supports industrial growth, job creation, and foreign exchange conservation through import substitution”, Adeniyi said.
He noted that the exemptions granted on the controversial 4% Free on Board, FOB, levy for manufacturers would ease the burden on the sector and create space for competitive production.
“We have secured approval for strategic exemptions on the importation of raw materials, spares, and machines critical to manufacturing. This is concrete evidence of our commitment to balance revenue with economic growth”, the Customs boss explained.
President of MAN, Francis Meshioye, described the outcome of the dialogue as a “turning point” for Nigeria’s industrial sector.
“The exemptions and policy clarity we achieved today will directly enhance the competitiveness of our industries, allow for job creation on a larger scale, and strengthen our ability to conserve foreign exchange”, Meshioye said.
He emphasized that the partnership was not only about immediate relief but also about laying the foundation for sustainable industrial clusters across the country.
“This collaboration is a pathway to ensuring that manufacturing becomes the true engine of economic diversification in Nigeria”, the MAN president stated.
Both organizations also agreed to establish structured consultation mechanisms for proactive engagement on policy changes, periodic review meetings, and feedback systems to assess the impact of reforms on manufacturing operations.
