By Muhammad Mamman
In a bold move to supercharge Nigeria’s Customs Service, the National Assembly has thrown its weight behind the immediate enforcement of a 4% Free-On-Board (FOB) charge, as mandated by law, to turbocharge the agency’s operations. The directive came during a fiery session on Monday, where Senator Isah Jibrin, the dynamic Chairman of the Joint Committee on Customs and Tariffs, took the Finance Minister, Wale Edun, to task over delays in implementing the crucial levy.
“Why are we dithering on a law already passed?” Senator Jibrin demanded, his voice cutting through the chamber. “The 4% FOB charge must be rolled out without delay—it’s not up for debate!” His impassioned call rallied the committee, which unanimously backed the immediate activation of the charge through a resounding voice vote, signalling a no-nonsense approach to bolstering the Customs Service’s financial muscle.
But the Assembly didn’t stop there. In a bid to drag Nigeria’s customs operations into the 21st century, lawmakers pressed Minister Edun to fast-track the release of funds earmarked for modernisation projects. At the heart of this push is a hefty ₦50 billion initiative, currently awaiting the green light from the Federal Executive Council (FEC). These funds are set to revolutionise the Nigeria Customs Service, streamlining processes, boosting efficiency, and clamping down on revenue leakages that have long plagued the system.
The 4% FOB charge, a levy on the value of goods loaded for export, is expected to inject vital funds into the Customs Service, enabling it to tackle smuggling, enhance border security, and improve trade facilitation. Experts suggest this could significantly bolster Nigeria’s economic competitiveness, especially as global trade demands grow. Meanwhile, the modernisation funds are poised to usher in cutting-edge technology, from automated cargo tracking to advanced risk management systems, transforming the Customs Service into a lean, mean, revenue-generating machine.
With the National Assembly’s resolute stance, all eyes are now on the Finance Minister to deliver. Will this be the turning point for a modern, efficient Customs Service? The clock is ticking, and Nigeria’s trade future hangs in the balance
