The Lagos Industrial Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified stakeholder engagement efforts aimed at improving excise duty compliance and enhancing revenue generation within its area of responsibility.
The initiative, which involved a series of familiarisation and sensitisation visits to key excise-paying industries, commenced on November 4 and concluded on December 2, 2025. The exercise followed the assumption of office by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Adebola Salawu, who took over the leadership of the Command on September 8, 2025.
According to a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs Juliana Tomo, the engagements were designed to strengthen collaboration with industry stakeholders and improve the Command’s overall revenue performance.
During the meetings, Comptroller Salawu reviewed stakeholders’ excise duty payment processes and emphasised the importance of timely and accurate remittance in line with existing regulations. She described excise compliance as a shared responsibility and reaffirmed her commitment to contributing to Nigeria’s economic development.
“I reaffirm my commitment to contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic advancement, and I regard this effort as a patriotic responsibility,” she said.
The Customs Area Controller urged stakeholders to uphold transparency and strict compliance in their operations, noting that effective cooperation between Customs and industry players is essential for sustainable revenue growth.
She also encouraged stakeholders to fully adopt the Unified Customs Management System, popularly known as the “B’Odogwu” platform, for real-time excise duty payments. Comptroller Salawu warned that delays in excise remittances could attract penalties under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, including a 10 per cent surcharge on late payments, as well as additional sanctions for trade-related violations.
In addition, she highlighted several trade facilitation initiatives introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service to promote ease of doing business and deepen public-private sector partnerships. These initiatives include export facilitation processes, the one-stop-shop initiative, the Authorised Economic Operators programme, Advance Ruling, and opportunities available under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Command expressed optimism that sustained engagement with stakeholders would lead to improved compliance levels and increased excise revenue generation in the coming months.
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