By Matthew Denis
The Nigeria Customs Service has initiated the automation of its excise register system, marking a significant milestone in its extensive modernisation agenda and underscoring its dedication to efficient excise administration.
In a statement issued by Abdullahi Maiwada, National Public Relations Officer to the Comptroller-General of Customs, it was confirmed that the pilot phase of the Automated Excise Register System (ERS) has been successfully completed.
“The official activation of the ERS follows a comprehensive series of field activities conducted by the Service. These included thorough User Acceptance Testing (UAT), meticulous system validation procedures, and detailed hands-on training sessions involving both Customs officers and excise factory personnel,” the statement explained.
The Excise Register System has been deployed at three major excise facilities in Nigeria: 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.
These factories were carefully selected as pilot sites due to their critical role in Nigeria’s excise sector and their ability to provide a strong foundation for the system’s eventual nationwide implementation.
The pilot phase, conducted between July and August 2025, served as a testing ground for the digital platform. Key accomplishments during this period included achieving a 75% efficiency rating during UAT at BATN, the seamless integration of production and reporting systems across the three factories, and enhanced cooperation between the Nigeria Customs Service and factory management teams.
With live operations now underway, all excise-related transactions at these factories will be managed exclusively through the ERS. This covers the recording of production volumes, calculation of excise duties, and generation of mandatory reports.
The introduction of the ERS is set to significantly reduce dependence on manual record-keeping, eliminate discrepancies in data reporting, and improve transparency throughout the excise value chain. This move represents a vital progression towards establishing a more accountable, technology-driven excise administration framework.
Lessons learned from the pilot phase will provide a robust foundation for the ERS’s rollout across the country. It is important to note that the system forms a central element of the Nigeria Customs Service’s broader Trade Modernisation Project. Future stages will see the ERS extended to other excise-regulated sectors, such as beverages, spirits, and additional manufacturing categories.
The Nigeria Customs Service encourages industry players and relevant stakeholders to support this important reform and offer constructive feedback as the system expands nationwide. The Service seeks collaboration in developing a stronger, more transparent excise regime that promotes compliance, improves operational efficiency, and secures sustainable revenue growth for the Federal Government.