NCS Grants Over ₦60bn Duty Waivers in 2025, Partners NiDCOM to Boost Diaspora Investment, Humanitarian Support
By Rashidat Olushola Okunlade
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to enhance diaspora engagement, support humanitarian initiatives, and promote strategic investments by Nigerians abroad.
This position was made known during a courtesy visit by NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, where both institutions emphasized the need for structured cooperation to drive national development.
During the meeting, Dabiri-Erewa briefed the Comptroller-General of Customs on preparations for the 2026 Nigeria Diaspora Day, which will feature the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative (DHII 2026).
The programme is scheduled to hold from July 20 to 23, 2026, across several states, culminating in the National Diaspora Day celebrations in Abuja on July 25 and 26.
She highlighted persistent challenges faced by Nigerians in the diaspora when importing medical equipment and relief materials for genuine humanitarian purposes.
To address this, she advocated for a formal framework that would support legitimate interventions, including duty waivers for medical and educational supplies.
According to her, seven major diaspora medical associations will be deployed across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to conduct medical outreaches and specialised training programmes, before converging in Abuja for the grand finale of the diaspora celebrations.
Dabiri-Erewa also called for seamless Customs support in clearing medical supplies for the initiative, alongside moral, financial, and institutional backing.
She further invited the Comptroller-General to participate in the Diaspora Quarterly Lecture Series and attend the Global Diaspora Summit scheduled for August 12, 2026, in Canada.
In addition, she proposed joint training programmes, including sensitisation for Customs officers on diaspora-related matters and capacity-building initiatives for NiDCOM personnel.
Responding, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, commended NiDCOM for its contributions over the past six years in strengthening Nigeria’s global image and fostering closer ties with its diaspora community.
He reiterated that while revenue generation remains a core mandate of the Service, the NCS has increasingly prioritised trade facilitation by improving efficiency, reducing the cost of doing business, and enhancing overall revenue performance.
Adeniyi disclosed that the Service has introduced guidelines to create dedicated clearance channels for perishable and life-saving goods at ports and airports, noting that similar considerations would apply to verified humanitarian consignments, subject to due process and proper documentation, including Import Duty Exemption Certificates from the Ministry of Finance.
He further revealed that under healthcare sector incentives introduced by the Federal Government in 2025, the NCS granted over ₦60 billion in duty concessions to organisations involved in the importation and manufacturing of healthcare delivery systems.
According to him, the policy is aimed at reducing healthcare costs, discouraging medical tourism, and attracting investments from Nigerians in the diaspora.
“This is an area we encourage diaspora Nigerians to explore, as government is deliberately sacrificing revenue to stimulate investment in the healthcare sector,” he said.
While cautioning against potential abuse of humanitarian channels, Adeniyi assured that the Service would continue to work with NiDCOM to establish transparent procedures that distinguish genuine interventions from misuse.
He also welcomed NiDCOM’s proposal for joint training initiatives and noted that the NCS already operates a help desk that could be expanded to address diaspora-related matters.
The meeting, attended by senior officials from both organisations, marks a significant step towards institutionalising collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the diaspora community, in line with the Federal Government’s broader strategy to harness diaspora contributions for national development.
