Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Nigeria Customs Service has intensified nationwide sensitisation efforts ahead of the implementation of the Green Tax Surcharge scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
The service said the campaign is aimed at promoting environmental sustainability, reducing carbon emissions and encouraging the importation of cleaner vehicles in line with global environmental standards.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Customs Service said its latest awareness programme was held at the Apapa Area Command on June 26 and brought together customs officers, freight forwarders, importers, licensed agents and other stakeholders.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Zonal Coordinator for Zone A, Mohammed Babadende, said the sensitisation exercise was designed to improve understanding of the policy before implementation.
“This sensitisation is designed to ensure that every stakeholder clearly understands the policy before implementation. Our objective is to eliminate uncertainty, promote voluntary compliance and guarantee uniform application of the Green Tax Surcharge across all commands,” he said.
Babadende noted that continued engagement with stakeholders would ensure a smooth rollout of the policy at ports and border stations nationwide.
The Comptroller in charge of Tariff, System Audit and Coordination, Murtala Muazu, explained that the Green Tax Surcharge differs from conventional fiscal measures and would be administered through a separate assessment process.
According to him, the service has introduced a simplified implementation mechanism using the Harmonised System code declaration platform to facilitate accurate assessment and improve compliance.
Muazu disclosed that the Federal Government had reviewed vehicle import charges to cushion the impact of the environmental levy.
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Mirian Gom 
