Customs Grants Over ₦60bn Duty Waivers to Boost Diaspora Investment, Partners NiDCOM

Customs Grants Over ₦60bn Duty Waivers to Boost Diaspora Investment, Partners NiDCOM
Diaspora Health Impact Initiative 2026 is scheduled to hold from July 20 to 23 across several states
Promises Seamless Clearance for Diaspora Medical Equipment

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it granted more than ₦60 billion in duty concessions in 2025 as part of efforts to attract investment from Nigerians abroad, particularly in the healthcare sector.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the disclosure was made during a courtesy visit by the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, to the Customs headquarters in Abuja.

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During the meeting, both agencies agreed to strengthen collaboration aimed at deepening diaspora engagement, easing humanitarian interventions and supporting strategic investments by Nigerians living overseas.

Dabiri-Erewa briefed the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on preparations for the 2026 Nigeria Diaspora Day celebrations. A key highlight is the Diaspora Health Impact Initiative 2026 (DHII), scheduled to hold from July 20 to 23 across several states, ahead of National Diaspora Day in Abuja on July 25 and 26.

She raised concerns about challenges faced by diaspora Nigerians who import medical equipment and relief materials for humanitarian purposes, calling for a structured framework that would support legitimate interventions, including waivers for medical and educational equipment.

Under the initiative, seven major diaspora medical associations are expected to conduct medical outreaches and specialised training programmes across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones before converging in Abuja.

Customs Grants Over ₦60bn Duty Waivers to Boost Diaspora Investment, Partners NiDCOM

Dabiri-Erewa appealed to Customs for seamless clearance of medical supplies for the outreach and sought institutional backing for the event. She also invited the Customs boss to participate in the Diaspora Quarterly Lecture Series and attend the Global Diaspora Summit scheduled for August 12, 2026, in Canada.

Responding, Adeniyi commended NiDCOM for strengthening ties between Nigeria and its diaspora community over the years.

While noting that revenue generation remains a core mandate, he said the Service has increasingly focused on trade facilitation, reducing the cost of doing business and improving turnaround time at ports.

According to him, the NCS has developed dedicated corridors for perishable and life-saving goods at ports and airports to speed up clearance processes.

“We will be willing to do anything for them that will enhance development back home and our reputation abroad as enablers and not impediments to their progress,” he said.

The Comptroller-General clarified that genuine humanitarian and medical materials would be given due consideration, provided proper documentation, including Import Duty Exemption Certificates from the Ministry of Finance, is presented.

Adeniyi further revealed that under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the government introduced healthcare sector concessions in 2025 aimed at lowering medical costs, discouraging medical tourism and encouraging diaspora investment.

He disclosed that over ₦60 billion in Customs duty concessions were granted in 2025 alone to companies involved in manufacturing or importing healthcare delivery systems.

“This is an area we would like Nigerians in the diaspora to key into. Government is deliberately giving up revenue to encourage investment in healthcare,” he said.

However, he cautioned against abuse of humanitarian channels, assuring that Customs would continue working with NiDCOM to establish clear guidelines that differentiate genuine interventions from misuse.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from both agencies and is seen as a major step toward institutionalising structured engagement between Customs and Nigeria’s diaspora community.