The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has concluded the pilot part of its Automated Excise Register System (ERS), which was launched as a part of an in depth modernisation agenda for environment friendly excise administration.
The formal activation of the ERS follows a collection of in depth subject actions undertaken by the Service, which included rigorous Person Acceptance Testing (UAT), system validation processes, and complete hands-on coaching engagements with each Customs officers and excise manufacturing unit personnel, the service mentioned in a press release on Thursday.
“Constructing on this progress, the Excise Register System has formally gone reside at three key excise amenities throughout the nation: British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) PLC in Oyo State, Worldwide Tobacco Firm (ITC) Restricted in Kwara State, and Leaf Tobacco & Commodities Nigeria Ltd in Kaduna State.
“These factories have been intentionally chosen as pilot websites in recognition of their strategic significance to Nigeria’s excise sector and their capability to offer a powerful basis for the nationwide rollout,” Customs spokesman Abdullahi Maiwada mentioned within the assertion.
He mentioned the pilot part was performed between July and August 2025, and it serves as a proving floor for the brand new digital platform. He mentioned the pilot part achieved a 75 per cent effectivity rating throughout UAT at BATN, the profitable integration of manufacturing and reporting methods throughout the factories, and strengthened collaboration between NCS and manufacturing unit administration groups.
With the graduation of reside operations, Maiwada mentioned all excise-related transactions on the three factories will now be managed solely by the ERS.
This consists of recording manufacturing figures, computing excise duties, and producing statutory studies.
The adoption of the platform is predicted to drastically cut back reliance on handbook documentation, eradicate inconsistencies in knowledge reporting, and improve transparency throughout the excise worth chain. “Finally, this transition is a vital step in the direction of constructing a extra accountable and technology-driven excise administration framework,” he said.
He mentioned the insights and classes drawn from the pilot part will present a strong blueprint for the system’s nationwide rollout. “It is usually pertinent to notice that the ERS stands as a central pillar of the Nigeria Customs Service’s Commerce Modernisation Challenge.”
In line with Maiwada, the following part will likely be prolonged to cowl different excise-regulated industries, together with drinks, spirits, and extra segments of the manufacturing sector.
The Customs referred to as on trade operators and stakeholders to embrace the reform and supply constructive suggestions because the system is expanded nationwide.
The service additionally seeks stakeholders’ help in constructing a extra strong and clear excise regime that fosters compliance, enhances operational effectivity, and ensures sustainable income progress for the federal government.
