The Federal Government has placed fresh restrictions on the importation of 17 categories of goods into Nigeria, including poultry products, cement, pharmaceuticals, and several agricultural items from countries outside the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The new directive was contained in a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance and signed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, dated April 1, 2026.
According to the circular, the revised import prohibition list forms part of the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures (FPM) and tariff amendments, replacing the 2023 fiscal policy framework.
“Import Prohibition list (Trade), applicable only to certain goods originating from non-ECOWAS Member States. It consists of 17 items,” the circular stated.
The ministry, however, granted a 90-day grace period for importers who had already opened Form M and entered into irrevocable trade agreements before the implementation date.
“In addition, a grace period of ninety (90) days, commencing from the effective date of implementation of this circular, i.e., 1st April 2026, shall be granted to all importers who had opened Form ‘M’ and must have entered into irrevocable Trade Agreement before the coming into effect of this circular, to process and clear their goods at the prevailing duty rates,” the circular read.
It added that all new import transactions from April 1, 2026, would be subjected to the new import duty regime.
“However, any new import transaction entered from the 1st of April 2026, shall be subjected to the new import duty regime.
“These Fiscal Policy Measures which supersede the 2023 Fiscal Policy Measures shall be published in the Official Federal Government Gazette.”
The 17 prohibited items include:
- Live or dead birds, including frozen poultry
- Pork and beef, including tongues, livers, and shoulders of bovine animals
- Bird eggs, excluding hatching eggs of grandparent stock for breeding and research
- Refined vegetable oil, excluding refined linseed, castor oil, olive oil, hydrogenated vegetable fats, and crude vegetable oil
- Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose in solid form containing added flavouring or colouring
- Cocoa butter, powder and cakes, including cocoa fat and oil
- Tomatoes, including whole tomatoes, tomato paste, and concentrates
- Waters, including mineral and aerated waters with added sugar, sweeteners, or flavouring, as well as other non-alcoholic beverages
- Bagged cement
- Medicaments (medicine) under several headings
- Waste pharmaceuticals
- Mineral or chemical fertilisers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK)
- Soaps and detergents
- Corrugated paper and paper boards, cartons, boxes, and cases
- Hollow glass bottles above 150ml capacity, including bottles, flasks, and carboys
- Flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products, 600mm or more in width, clad, plated, or coated – corrugated
- Ballpoint pens and parts, including refills excluding tips
In addition to the revised import ban, the Federal Government also introduced a two per cent green tax surcharge, also known as excise duty, on motor vehicles with engine sizes between 2009cc and 3999cc, as well as those above 4000cc.
The new measures are part of broader efforts by the government to strengthen local production, regulate imports, and align fiscal policy with economic sustainability goals.
