Nigeria Customs Service launches automated Excise Register System, boosting transparency, efficiency, and revenue in Nigeria’s excise sector.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially rolled out its Automated Excise Register System (ERS), marking a major step in modernizing excise administration across the country.
According to the NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, the move follows the successful completion of a pilot phase conducted between July and August 2025. The ERS is now fully operational at three key excise facilities — British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) PLC in Oyo State, International Tobacco Company (ITC) Limited in Kwara State, and Leaf Tobacco & Commodities Nigeria Ltd in Kaduna State.
Why the Pilot Phase Was Crucial
The NCS deliberately selected these factories due to their strategic importance in Nigeria’s excise sector. During the pilot phase, the system recorded impressive results, including:
A 75% efficiency score during User Acceptance Testing at BATN.
Successful integration of production and reporting systems.
Improved collaboration between NCS and factory management teams.
What the Automation Means
With the launch, all excise-related activities at these factories will now run exclusively through the ERS. This includes tracking production volumes, computing excise duties, and generating statutory reports.
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The Customs Service highlighted that the platform will significantly cut down reliance on manual paperwork, close loopholes in data reporting, and enhance transparency across Nigeria’s excise value chain.
Part of a Bigger Reform
The ERS is central to the NCS Trade Modernisation Project, which aims to digitize customs operations nationwide. Insights from the pilot phase will guide a broader rollout to other excise-regulated industries, including beverages, spirits, and more segments of the manufacturing sector.
Maiwada urged stakeholders and industry players to embrace the reform, provide feedback, and support the Service in building a transparent, efficient, and revenue-driven excise system for Nigeria.
