The Federal Government has announced a sweeping ban on the importation of several goods, including cement, poultry products, pharmaceuticals, and selected agricultural items from countries outside the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The directive was issued in a circular from the Federal Ministry of Finance and signed by the Minister, Wale Edun, on April 1, 2026. The policy forms part of the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and updated tariff reforms, which replace the 2023 framework.
According to the circular, the affected imports fall under a revised prohibition list containing 17 categories of goods. These include live or frozen poultry, beef and pork products, eggs (with some exceptions), refined vegetable oils, sugar, cocoa-based products, tomatoes, non-alcoholic beverages, bagged cement, selected medicines, fertilisers, soaps and detergents, paper materials, glass bottles, steel products, as well as ballpoint pens and related parts.
The government explained that the new restrictions are aimed at strengthening local production and reducing dependence on non-ECOWAS imports.
However, a 90-day transition period has been granted for importers who had already begun transactions before the policy took effect. Importers who had opened Form M and entered into binding trade agreements before April 1, 2026, will still be allowed to complete their shipments within the grace period.
The ministry further stated that any new import transactions initiated from April 1, 2026, will be fully subject to the new import duty and restriction regime.
In addition, the Federal Government introduced a two per cent green tax surcharge on motor vehicles, targeting cars with engine capacities between 2009cc and above 4000cc.
The ministry added that all the new fiscal measures will be officially published in the Federal Government Gazette for full implementation.
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