By Godwin Oritse

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has called on the Federal Government (FG) to suspend the implementation of the Green Tax Policy, scheduled to take off from July 1st, 2026,  citing inadequate stakeholder engagement by the implementing agency, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

The association argued that key stakeholders, particularly licensed customs agents and importers, who will be directly affected by the policy were not sufficiently sensitised or consulted before its rollout.

In a statement signed by ANLCA President, Emenike Nwokeoji, yesterday, the association expressed concern that a fiscal policy with such far-reaching implications for import duty, cargo valuation, contractual obligations, shipping arrangements and business planning was communicated to only a section of the critical trading community in Lagos barely 72 hours before its proposed implementation.

“Even more astonishing was the extremely late invitation extended to stakeholders for the consultation meeting. Such an approach is insensitive, procedurally defective and inconsistent with the principles of fairness, inclusiveness, stakeholder engagement and due consultation that should ordinarily guide the implementation of major public policies.

“Fiscal policies of this magnitude ought to be preceded by adequate notice, extensive consultations with all relevant stakeholders across the country, comprehensive sensitisation and sufficient transitional periods to ensure seamless compliance.

Anything short of this undermines confidence in government policies, exposes legitimate businesses to avoidable financial losses and ultimately erodes the confidence of both local and foreign investors in Nigeria’s trade environment.”

The group also raised concern about the decision to subject shipments already in transit to Nigeria to the new levy.

“This amounts to a retrospective fiscal burden on importers and licensed customs agents who had already entered into binding commercial contracts based on the existing tariff regime. Such a development will inevitably result in severe financial losses and unnecessary disputes within the international trading community.

“Furthermore, the stakeholders’ meeting failed to adequately address critical implementation issues. For instance, there was no clear methodology provided for determining engine capacities for the purpose of Green Tax assessment.

“This ambiguity is capable of creating confusion, inconsistent assessments, avoidable disputes and ultimately leaving the trading public at the discretion of individual assessment officers.

“ANLCA remains committed to constructive engagement with the Federal Government and the Nigeria Customs Service in pursuit of policies that promote legitimate trade while achieving national objectives,” he said.

The association also made it clear that it is not challenging the authority of the Federal Government to formulate or implement fiscal policies. It, however, demanded the immediate suspension or postponement of the implementation of the Green Tax Policy until adequate stakeholder consultations have been conducted nationwide.

By Elizabeth Adegbesan

The national average Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) rose by 3.12 percent month-on-month (MoM) to N1,589 per adult per day in April from N1,541 per adult per day in March 2026.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed this yesterday in its CoHD Report for April 2026, noting that the increase was driven by rising prices across all food groups except starchy staples.

it stated: “The national average Cost of a Healthy Diet was N1,589 in April 2026. This shows an increase of 3.12% when compared to the amount recorded in the previous month (March 2026 was N1,541).”

The Bureau noted that the CoHD rose faster than both general inflation and food inflation during the period.

On the cost of food share groups, the Bureau said animal source foods were the most expensive food group recommendations to meet in April, accounting for 40 percent of the total CoHD while providing 13 percent of the total calories.

“Fruits and vegetables were the most expensive food groups in terms of price per calorie; they accounted for 16 percent and 14 percent, respectively, of the total CoHD while providing only 7 percent and 5 percent, respectively, of the total calories in the Healthy Diet Basket.

“Legumes, Nuts, and Seeds were the least expensive food group on average, accounting for 7 percent of the total cost.”

On national, state and zonal trends, the NBS said: “The national average Cost of a Healthy Diet was N1,589 per adult per day in April 2026.

“At the state level, Ekiti, Imo and Bayelsa states recorded the highest costs at N2,036, N2,018 and N1,909, respectively. Adamawa, the Federal Capital Territory and Akwa Ibom State recorded the lowest costs at N1,143, N1,278 and N1,314, respectively.

“At the zonal level, the average CoHD was highest in the South-East Zone at N1,830 per day, followed by the South-West Zone at N1,753 per day.

“The lowest average Cost of a Healthy Diet was recorded in the North-East Zone at N1,415 per day.”

By Peter Egwuatu

Shareholders of Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc have approved plans by the company’s Board of Directors to raise additional capital to accelerate its expansion programme and complete its ongoing world-class pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Amawbia, Anambra State.

At the company’s 67th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held virtually, shareholders unanimously approved all the board’s resolutions and called for appropriate timing of the capital raising to ensure full subscription.

Shareholders’ group leaders, including Boniface Okezie, Moses Igbrude, Mrs Bisi Bakare, Alex Adio and Adebayo Adeleke, urged the Board and Management to ensure that the new plant, upon completion, serves as a hub for manufacturing local drugs in the country.

Chairman of the company, Christopher Oshiafi, commended shareholders for their loyalty and support, noting that they had earlier approved a N20 billion capital raise programme, under which the company recently concluded a successful N2.4 billion Rights Issue.

He explained that part of the proceeds had been earmarked for completing the Amawbia manufacturing project, while additional funding would be required to fully execute the project.

According to Oshiafi, the facility will meet World Health Organisation (WHO) standards and position the company to take advantage of opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Valentine Okelu, described the project as a strategic priority, saying management remained committed to securing the funding needed to accelerate its completion.

The capital raising plan follows a strong financial turnaround in 2025, with revenue rising 64 per cent to N7.37 billion from N4.49 billion in 2024. Profit after tax stood at N976.4 million, compared with a loss of N885.3 million in the previous year.

Okelu attributed the improved performance to stronger market penetration, enhanced operational efficiency and the successful restructuring of the company’s foreign currency obligations. Oshiafi added that Neimeth’s share price rose from N2.29 to N6.15, pushing market capitalisation to N26.3 billion. He said the company’s priorities remain sustaining profitability, reducing debt, strengthening working capital, improving production efficiency and introducing