Onome Amuge

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has expressed concern over the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) continued enforcement of the four percent Free-on-Board (FOB) levy, despite a ministerial directive suspending its application.

In a statement signed on Monday, September 22, 2025, by its director general, Chinyere Almona, the Chamber noted that the NCS has insisted on applying the levy under Section 18(1)(a) of the NCS Act 2023. However, the LCCI argued that fiscal policy decisions rest squarely with the minister of finance, whose suspension order should take precedence unless expressly overturned by the National Assembly or a court of competent jurisdiction.

“The continued collection of this levy raises import costs, erodes competitiveness, and undermines investor confidence,” Almona stated. She added that the stance taken by Customs is already weighing heavily on businesses struggling with high operating costs and currency volatility.

The Chamber urged the NCS to recalibrate its systems immediately to align with the directive, and to issue a public notice confirming compliance. It further called on the Ministry of Finance and the National Assembly to work together to resolve any legal ambiguity that may exist around the levy’s suspension.

LCCI emphasised that Nigeria’s business community requires policy clarity and institutional coordination to sustain trade, jobs, and growth in an already fragile economy. “Uncertainty in policy enforcement creates avoidable friction in the business environment and threatens investor confidence at a time the country needs every inflow of capital,” the statement said.