The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has commended the Federal Government for suspending the 4% Free-on-Board (FOB) levy on imports, reintroduced by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on August 4, 2025, a move seen as averting a potential spike in production costs.

In a statement on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, MAN Director General Segun Ajayi-Kadir described the suspension as a significant relief for the manufacturing sector, which had been alarmed by the levy’s reintroduction. He noted that it risked escalating costs for raw materials, machinery, and spare parts, which are often imported due to limited local availability. “The Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister just saved our country from a self-inflicted price escalation,” Ajayi-Kadir said, calling the levy an “own goal” despite its aim to boost revenue.

MAN expressed confidence that the NCS, aligning with its reform efforts, would promptly remove the charge from its portal and fully restore the B’Odogwu platform to streamline trade processes. Ajayi-Kadir emphasized the association’s commitment to collaborating with the government and NCS to reduce port-related business costs and enhance fiscal transparency, fostering a stable manufacturing environment.

The decision reflects broader efforts to maintain economic stability under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which MAN acknowledged for its repurposing efforts. The suspension is expected to ease financial pressures on manufacturers and support competitive pricing in the market.