The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has called for stricter data validation and broader stakeholder engagement in ongoing fiscal and regulatory reforms as the Nigeria Customs Service hosted the leadership of the Beer Sectoral Group at its headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
The engagement, held on Monday, May 11, 2026, brought together senior executives from major brewing companies across the country to discuss tax administration, trade transparency, and concerns surrounding the proposed tax stamp policy under consideration by the government.
Speaking during the meeting, Adeniyi stressed the importance of grounding policy decisions on credible and verifiable data, particularly when dealing with critical sectors of the economy.
“We need to have a clear understanding of what constitutes illicit trade. Some of these products are legitimately manufactured in Nigeria. In other jurisdictions, customs administrations are already engaging in discussions around how such products find their way across borders and into unauthorised markets,” he said.
The Customs boss noted that while the government remained committed to strengthening revenue assurance and regulatory compliance, the integrity and accuracy of industry data presented to policymakers must not be compromised.
“One thing we need to understand more clearly is where some of these estimates came from. When we are making policy decisions of this nature, the credibility and accuracy of data must never be in doubt,” he added.
Adeniyi also highlighted several trade facilitation reforms introduced by the Service to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks within the supply chain.
According to him, initiatives such as Advance Ruling, the Authorised Economic Operator programme, and other internal reforms were introduced proactively to strengthen trade facilitation and operational efficiency.
On the proposed tax stamp policy, the CGC clarified that consultations were still ongoing and that no final implementation decision had been taken by the government.
“As far as I am concerned, consultations are still ongoing. If this initiative is legitimate and beneficial, then we all have a responsibility to ensure that we are heading in the right direction,” he stated.
He urged stakeholders in the private sector to sustain engagement with government institutions to achieve a balanced outcome capable of protecting government revenue while supporting industrial growth.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Chief Executive Officer of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Girish Sharma, said the industry had come to present its concerns regarding the proposed tax stamp framework, which he said had generated debate within the sector.
Sharma acknowledged the importance of regulatory controls but argued that the beer industry remains one of the most structured and closely monitored sectors in Nigeria, with minimal exposure to counterfeiting risks.
“We fully understand the purpose and importance of tax stamps, particularly in industries where counterfeiting is a major concern. However, within the beer sector, counterfeiting is minimal,” he said.
He added that existing compliance systems within the sector already provide sufficient transparency and end-to-end oversight across production and distribution channels.
Sharma further emphasised the economic contribution of the beer industry through employment generation, tax revenue, and national output, while cautioning that additional regulatory burdens could have unintended consequences if not carefully implemented.
