The Nigeria Customs Service is ramping up efforts to improve excise duty compliance as it sets its sights on achieving a ₦400 billion revenue target for 2026.
This development was outlined in a statement released on April 9, 2026, via the agency’s official communication channels.
The update highlighted a series of stakeholder engagement sessions held across the Imo/Abia and Oyo/Osun Area Commands, focusing on addressing operational bottlenecks and strengthening regulatory compliance within the excise framework.
At one of the engagements in Owerri, the Assistant Comptroller-General responsible for Excise, Free Trade Zones, and Industrial Incentives, Joy Edelduok, spoke on the Service’s revenue ambitions.
She emphasized confidence within the leadership, stating, “The Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi believes we have the capacity to meet and surpass the 2026 excise revenue target.”
The statement also shed light on some of the challenges facing the sector. Blessing Iheanacho, the Customs Area Controller for the command, revealed that nine excise factories under her jurisdiction are currently not operational, largely due to prevailing economic conditions.
Despite this setback, she expressed optimism that continued engagement with stakeholders would help revive these facilities and foster stronger collaboration between the Customs Service and excise operators.
On a positive note, the statement acknowledged that several companies—such as the Nigerian Bottling Company have remained compliant with excise regulations, particularly through consistent voluntary remittances.
In a related development, a similar stakeholder session held within the Oyo/Osun Area Command emphasized the importance of maintaining compliance as a means of enhancing revenue generation.
Acting Customs Area Controller Moses Adewole described the engagement as an important avenue for building stronger partnerships with industry participants.
The Nigeria Customs Service noted that these engagements form part of a wider initiative aimed at promoting transparency, improving efficiency, and strengthening the overall administration of excise duties across the country.
