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Waiver: Food Importers ‘Must Sell 75% At Approved Markets’
Food importers taking advantage of the Federal Government’s duty waiver must sell not less than 75 per cent of the items at the approved markets.
They are also precluded from exporting the items they import under the tariff’s waiver regime, which is a short-term measure to boost food availability and affordability.
High prices of food items have fueled inflation and made life unbearable for a large number of Nigerians.
Food inflation, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), is more than 40 per cent – the major enabler of the 34.19 per cent headline inflation.
Those who instigated protests against the government early in the month anchored it on what they called “hunger in the land”.
As part of measures by the Federal Government to alleviate the food crisis, the waiver of Customs duty and other tariffs on some categories of food items was introduced.
The policy, which took off on July 15, will end on December 31. Its objective is to reduce the cost of food.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has estimated that the six-month tariff waiver would indirectly transfer about N188.4 billion to Nigerians as food subsidy, being the value of the revenues to be waived.
According to the NCS, the basic food items eligible for the zero per cent duty rate include husked brown rice, with a previous rate of 30 per cent; grain sorghum, 5.0 per cent; millet, 5.0 per cent; maize, 5.0 per cent; wheat, 20 per cent and beans, 20 per cent.
The implementation of the zero per cent duty rate (0 per cent) and Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption on selected basic food items is expected to contribute to the decline in inflation over the next months.
A review of the guidelines released yesterday by the NCS indicates a mix of innovative finance that directly transfers values to the average consumer but simultaneously rewards commitments to national productivity and the development of the agricultural value chain.
Under the guidelines, at least 75 per cent of imported items must be sold through recognised commodities exchanges, with all transactions and storage recorded.
The importing companies must keep comprehensive records of all related activities, which the government can request for compliance verification.
Commodities exchanges are simply formal, specialised markets where agricultural products and other commodities are traded. Commodities exchanges enable the development of the sectoral value chain through standardised measures and procedures.
Leading commodities exchanges in Nigeria include Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange (LCFE), Nigeria Commodities Exchange (NCX) and AFEX Commodities Exchange.
Also, to participate in the zero-duty importation of basic food items, a company must be incorporated in Nigeria and have been operational for at least five years.
The company must have filed annual returns and financial statements and paid taxes and statutory payroll obligations for the past five years.
Also, companies importing husked brown rice, grain sorghum, or millet need to own a milling plant with a capacity of at least 100 tons per day operated for at least four years, and have enough farmland for cultivation.
Companies importing maize, wheat, or beans must be agricultural companies with sufficient farmland or feed mills and agro-processing companies with an out-grower network for cultivation.
The implementation guidelines also provide evaluation mechanisms and sanctions for defaulters.
The Federal Ministry of Finance will periodically provide the NCS with a list of importers and their approved quotas to facilitate the importation of these basic food items within the policy framework.
If a company fails to meet its obligations under the import authorisation, it will lose all waivers and must pay the applicable VAT, levies, and import duties.
The penalty also applies if the company exports the imported items in their original or processed form outside Nigeria.
Comptroller–General of NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, said: “The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to address food security challenges and ensure that basic foodstuffs are accessible to all Nigerians.
“However, it is important to emphasise that while this temporary measure is intended to address current hardships, it does not undermine the long-term strategies put in place to safeguard local farmers and protect manufacturers.”
The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN), Lagos Chapter, expressed optimism that the tariff suspension would help in reducing the prices of bread and other items.
Its president, Chief Ayoola Mathew, commended the government’s initiative, noting that the continuous increase in the price of flour has not only dealt a big blow to the baking industry but has made life unbearable for Nigerians.
While lamenting that the prices of sugar, yeast, butter and other ingredients are also increasing, he said it has led to the closure of many bakeries and high unemployment rate.
“This constant increase in the price of flour by millers has made it impossible for bakeries to operate and function smoothly which has also led to the shutdown of many bakeries and their staff being laid off,” Mathew said.
News
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
News
Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
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