The Federal Government of Nigeria has granted a N97 billion waiver on the importation of essential food items, including maize, rice, and sorghum, between 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, according to data obtained from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

In a document released by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Customs Service confirmed that the waivers were implemented in line with the Federal Government’s strategic efforts to address food security challenges across the country.

Last year, The PUNCH reported that the government had introduced a temporary import duty waiver from July to December 2024 on staple foods such as rice, wheat, maize, and sugar. The goal was to reduce the soaring cost of food items, ease food inflation pressures, and provide economic relief for millions of Nigerians battling the rising cost of living.

Despite the government’s intervention, food prices remained stubbornly high, supply chains faced disruptions, and Nigeria’s dependence on imported food products persisted.

However, the recent Customs Service document provided an update, stating that the waivers had indeed contributed to a noticeable reduction in food prices. Adeniyi highlighted that the Customs Service waived over N97 billion in duties, which has led to food price reductions across the country.

According to the report, the Q1 2025 breakdown of waivers included:

• Maize: N45.3 billion free-on-board (FOB) value
• Rice: N751.6 million FOB value
• Sorghum: N2.3 billion FOB value

The document stated that these exemptions resulted in a 12–18% decrease in food prices between late 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.

“The NCS’s duty exemptions on food imports have contributed to recent food price reductions, with effects seen both immediately and over time,” Adeniyi noted.

The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to tackling food security challenges, even as it balances efforts between boosting local food production and providing short-term relief through targeted import policies.