By, Springnewsng media limited The United States government has criticised Nigeria for delays in approving import permits for American agricultural products, describing it as a persistent trade barrier that restricts market access.

In its 2025 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) stated that despite repeated efforts since 2019, Nigeria had failed to act on multiple requests to clear American food and agricultural imports.

The report also highlighted systemic problems, including weak inspection capacity, inconsistent application of sanitary and phytosanitary rules, and reliance on outdated customs procedures, which collectively force traders to resort to informal trade channels.

Further, the USTR criticised Nigeria’s high import tariffs and extra charges, noting that effective duties often exceed 50% for many goods, breaching ECOWAS’ 70% ceiling on some items. The US also condemned Nigeria’s ban on 25 product categories, citing them as major non-tariff barriers to trade.

On customs operations, the report pointed to entrenched corruption, manual processing systems, and inconsistent enforcement of regulations. While acknowledging Nigeria’s approval of a $3.1 billion customs modernisation project in 2020, the USTR noted that progress had been stalled by delays and legal battles.

The report also flagged challenges in government procurement, poor enforcement of intellectual property rights, restrictions on digital trade, and continued foreign exchange bottlenecks. It cited the slow clearance of shipping containers at Apapa Port, Lagos, as making it one of the most expensive ports globally for US exporters.

However, Nigeria’s Customs Service pushed back strongly against the USTR’s claims. The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, described the allegations of manual operations as “unfair” and “misinformed.”

Maiwada said Nigeria Customs had made significant strides towards automation, citing the rollout of the indigenous B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, deployment of new non-intrusive inspection scanners, and operational reforms such as the Authorised Economic Operator programme.

He stressed that Customs only implements policies set by the government, not formulate them, and remains committed to enhancing trade facilitation in line with global standards.

Responding separately, the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment declined fresh comments, referring to earlier statements that acknowledged past adverse impacts of US tariffs on Nigerian exports and reaffirmed Nigeria’s drive to boost non-oil exports through stricter quality assurance.

Despite efforts to modernise, the USTR concluded that “barriers that restrict trade and limit investment in Nigeria remain widespread.”

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