The Federal Government has waived a total of N97 billion in import duties for essential food items like maize, rice, and sorghum between 2024 and the first quarter of 2025. This was revealed in a recent document from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), aimed at supporting food security and fighting high food prices across the country.
According to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the waivers are part of efforts by the Federal Government to ease the burden of food inflation on citizens. The customs service implemented these waivers as a temporary relief measure to allow importers bring in critical food staples duty-free, hoping this would reduce market prices and improve availability.
Back in 2024, the Federal Government had launched a short-term policy waiving duties on major food items like rice, wheat, maize, and sugar from July to December. The goal was to bring down food costs and reduce the impact of inflation on Nigerian households. However, many Nigerians say the move did little to ease their daily struggles, as food prices remained high and market supply remained unstable.
In the NCS document, Adeniyi noted that waivers granted in the first quarter of 2025 included N45.3 billion worth of maize imports, N751.6 million in rice, and N2.3 billion in sorghum. He explained that when combined with the earlier waivers in 2024 — which included N45.9 billion in rice and N2.8 billion in wheat — the policy contributed to a 12 to 18 per cent reduction in some food prices.
“The NCS’s duty exemptions on food imports have contributed to recent food price reductions, with effects seen both immediately and over time,” Adeniyi said. He further explained that while the 2024 waivers took time to reflect in market prices due to supply chain delays, the 2025 waivers provided additional support to bring stability.
Adeniyi also said the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data supports this, showing gradual but steady improvement in food affordability. He said the customs service plans to improve efficiency this year by modernising its processes and launching new solutions to enhance stakeholder experience.
Despite these claims, many experts and stakeholders argue that the waivers have not translated to real price relief at the market. A seasoned freight forwarder, Mr. Abayomi Duyile, said the waivers were granted only on husked rice and other unfinished products, making it difficult for consumers to feel any significant impact.
“The price of these products didn’t come down. If the waivers were on finished products, we would have felt the impact. There is not much difference if you go to the market — the prices are still the same,” Duyile said.
Mr. Nnadi Ugochukwu, a chieftain of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, also criticised the lack of clarity in the waiver policy. He urged the customs service to clearly state the types of waivers being granted and on what categories of goods.
“They should be more specific about the type of waiver they are talking about,” he said, suggesting that without proper implementation, the policy may not solve the food crisis.
While the customs service insists the waivers are helping, many Nigerians say they are yet to see any real benefit in their day-to-day food purchases. Market prices for rice, maize, and other essentials remain stubbornly high, raising questions about how effective the waivers have really been.
This situation highlights a common challenge in Nigeria’s economic policies — where government interventions, even when well-intentioned, often fall short at the point of impact due to poor execution, weak supply chains, and lack of proper communication.
