Economic Zones: FG Restores 75% Export, 25% Domestic Sales Framework

The federal government has announced regulatory reforms for Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs), including a framework that requires 75 per cent of production to be exported, with 25 per cent permitted for domestic sale.

The minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed this at the Special Economic Zones Stakeholders’ Meeting in September 2026.

Oduwole said the reforms were aimed at restoring the export orientation of the free zones while aligning the treatment of domestic sales with applicable Nigerian law.

She said the reforms followed concerns about the diversion of goods produced in free zones into the Nigerian Customs Territory, benefiting from fiscal incentives intended primarily for export-oriented activities.

According to her, the development had created an uneven competitive environment for manufacturers operating within the Customs Territory, who remained subject to the full domestic tax regime.

Oduwole said the ministry had engaged the legislative and executive arms of government, as well as private-sector stakeholders, during the development of the tax reform process.

She said the engagements were intended to ensure that the impact of tax legislation on the SEZ scheme remained aligned with the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda and the promotion of non-oil exports.

The minister said three major regulatory instruments had emerged from the reform process: the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority Regulations and Operational Guidelines for Free Zones in Nigeria, 2025; Nigeria Export Processing Zones (Domestic Sales, Fiscal Alignment and Customs Treatment) Regulations, 2026; and Oil and Gas Export Free Zones (Domestic Sales, Fiscal Alignment and Customs Treatment) Regulations, 2026.

She said the reforms would also establish clearer institutional responsibilities, with the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA) retaining responsibility for licensing and operational oversight.

Oduwole added that the Nigeria Revenue Service would retain responsibility for tax administration, while the Nigeria Customs Service would remain responsible for customs control, valuation, classification and enforcement.

She said goods moved from a zone into the Nigerian Customs Territory would be treated in accordance with the applicable customs framework, including the treatment and valuation of finished goods.

The minister also announced that the revised NEPZA regulations recognised Digital Free Zones and Digital Special Economic Zones, providing for technology-enabled and non-physical operations.

She said the new framework included an Innovator Licence for enterprises whose regulatory frameworks were still developing, with reporting and fee structures designed around the operations of digital businesses.

Oduwole said the reforms were necessary to provide greater certainty for investors and protect the integrity of the free zones scheme.

She said the scheme had attracted more than $200 billion in foreign investment and over N900 billion in domestic investment, while creating more than 100,000 direct jobs and over 500,000 jobs when supply chains, logistics networks and host communities were included.

The minister urged stakeholders to provide further input to the Special Economic Zones Legislative and Regulatory Reform Committee, saying the committee remained open to submissions from operators and other stakeholders.

She also called for an end to the diversion of goods, the mispricing of related-party transactions, and the understatement of domestic sales, warning that such practices could put the entire scheme at risk under the new tax regime.

“Compliance is a condition precedent. The Ministry can only defend a clean scheme,” Oduwole said.

She said the Federal Government’s objective of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030 required the zones to fulfil their role as engines of non-oil export growth.

No Plot To Attack Tinubu’s Supporters In Abia ‎ ‎

BY KALU EZIYI, Umuahia ‎

‎Office of Abia State Deputy Governor has denied that the deputy governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, is masterminding a plot to attack supporters of President Bola Tinubu in the state. ‎ ‎

Chief press secretary to the deputy governor, Cyril Mba, in a statement made available to newsmen in Umuahia, the state capital, described the allegation as false, baseless, and unfounded.

‎The statement said the State Chapter of Tinubu Support Group had accused Emetu of recruiting and mobilising youths to attack the supporters and members of the All Progressives Congress in the State. ‎

‎”The office, therefore, challenges the group and its spokesperson, Enyinna Nwigwe, to substantiate the alleged recruitment, mobilisation or arming of youths for the purpose.” ‎ ‎It also argued that if the group or Nwigwe possesses any information establishing the allegations, they are challenged to make such information available to the appropriate security agencies. ‎

‎”The office, particularly calls on the Nigeria Police and other relevant security agencies to invite Nwigwe to substantiate the allegations and provide whatever evidence he claims to possess.’ ‎ ‎

“The deputy governor is prepared to cooperate fully with any lawful investigation aimed at establishing the facts. He has nothing to fear from such lawful investigations.” ‎

‎”What he rejects is any attempt to substitute unsubstantiated political claims for evidence or to portray legitimate political engagement and mobilisation as preparation for violence.” ‎ ‎

“It is understandable that political opponents may be concerned about his growing grassroots influence and the confidence reposed in him by his principal, Governor Alex Otti,” it added that the state does not need inflammatory and unsubstantiated allegations. “It needs responsible political engagement, respect for the rule of law and evidence-based public discourse.”