The Federal Government has banned the importation of poultry products, cement, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural goods from countries outside the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
According to a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance and signed by the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, dated April 1, 2026, the affected goods are part of 17 items listed on a revised import prohibition list.
“Import Prohibition List (Trade), applicable only to certain goods originating from non-ECOWAS Member States. It consists of 17 items,” the circular stated.
The revised list forms part of the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures (FPM) and tariff amendments.
“In addition, a grace period of ninety (90) days, commencing from the effective date of implementation of this circular, i.e., April 1, 2026, shall be granted to all importers who had opened Form ‘M’ and entered into irrevocable trade agreements before the coming into effect of this circular, to process and clear their goods at the prevailing duty rates,” the circular added.
“However, any new import transaction entered into from April 1, 2026, shall be subject 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.”
Below is the list of items on the revised import prohibition list:
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 purposes
Refined vegetable oil, excluding refined linseed oil, 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 matter
Cocoa butter, powder, and cakes, including cocoa fat and oil
Tomatoes (whole, in pieces, paste, or concentrates)
Waters, including mineral and aerated waters, containing added sugar or sweeteners or flavoured, as well as other non-alcoholic beverages
Bagged cement
Medicaments (medicines) under several categories
Waste pharmaceuticals
Mineral or chemical fertilisers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK)
Soaps and detergents
Corrugated paper and paperboard, including cartons, boxes, and cases
Hollow glass bottles exceeding 150 ml (0.15 litres), such as carboys, bottles, and flasks
Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, 600 mm or more in width, clad, plated, or coated (corrugated)
Ballpoint pens and parts, including refills (excluding tips), comprising the ballpoint and ink reservoir
Additionally, the Federal Government has introduced a 2 percent green tax surcharge (excise duty) on motor vehicles with engine capacities ranging from 2,009 cc to 3,999 cc, and 4,000 cc and above.
