The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has revealed that import duty exemption approvals reached ₦34 trillion in 2025, describing the waivers as a major factor limiting Customs revenue generation.

Speaking before the Senate Committee on Finance in Abuja, Adeniyi said government fiscal policies, including duty waivers introduced under the Import Duty Exemption Certificate scheme in 2020, have significantly reduced potential revenue. He noted that nearly 60 per cent of the approved waivers covered duty-free imports of military hardware, while others applied to CNG, electric and hybrid vehicles, healthcare equipment, industrial machinery, manufacturing inputs and food import programmes.

Although the waivers affected revenue, Adeniyi argued that fiscal policies should also be assessed by their economic and social benefits. He urged the Federal Government to strengthen monitoring to ensure beneficiaries deliver outcomes such as lower consumer prices, increased local production and improved healthcare access.

Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Finance criticised the absence of several agency heads, including those of the NCAA, SMEDAN, ITF and FMC Jabi, warning that they must appear at the next hearing or face sanctions.