Nigerians Struggle as Food Tariff Waiver Remains Unimplemented

The Nigerian government’s delay in implementing a zero-tariff waiver on selected food items has worsened economic hardship for citizens, despite earlier promises to alleviate food prices. The tariff waiver, announced in June 2024 by Finance Minister Wale Edun, aimed to remove import tariffs on staples like rice, maize, and beans for a 150-day period from July 15 to December 31, 2024. However, months after the policy was set to begin, the waiver remains largely unimplemented, leaving food prices unchanged.

Despite reassurances from Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi in July, the expected price reductions have yet to materialize. As a result, the cost of basic staples continues to rise, with local market surveys showing that a 50-kilogram bag of rice now costs between N87,000 and N106,000, while a bag of beans is priced as high as N100,000.

The failure to fully activate the policy has drawn widespread criticism. Muda Yusuf, Executive Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, cited the government’s slow pace in issuing proper guidelines for Customs to implement the policy. “There is a significant lag between the announcement and actual implementation. This delay is preventing Nigerians from benefiting from the policy,” Yusuf told SK Blog.

Olufemi Kayode, a member of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), suggested internal issues within Customs may be contributing to the delay, including potential problems with coding the tariff waiver in its system.

However, the NCS has rejected claims of internal sabotage. Spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada insisted that Customs has issued clear guidelines for accessing the tariff waiver and is committed to carrying out all government policies aimed at reducing the economic burden on Nigerians.

Despite these assurances, Nigerians continue to face soaring food prices, undermining the policy’s original goal of making essential commodities more affordable. Without swift action from the government, the intended relief remains elusive for millions of struggling citizens.