The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has rolled out its first fully automated excise register system, marking a significant step in its efforts to overhaul tax administration and reduce reliance on manual processes.
The Automated Excise Register System (ERS), which has gone live at three major tobacco factories—British American Tobacco Nigeria in Oyo State, International Tobacco Company in Kwara State, and Leaf Tobacco & Commodities Nigeria in Kaduna—is designed to record production, compute excise duties, and generate statutory reports in real time.
Customs officials say the system will help close loopholes, eliminate data inconsistencies, and boost transparency across the excise value chain. The pilot phase, conducted between July and August 2025, achieved a 75% efficiency score during user testing and successfully integrated production and reporting systems across the factories.
The move is part of the Service’s broader Trade Modernisation Project and is expected to be extended to other excise-regulated industries, including beverages and spirits. Officials argue that the lessons from the pilot will serve as a blueprint for nationwide adoption.
Calling on industry operators to embrace the reform, the NCS said the transition would strengthen compliance, improve efficiency, and enhance government revenue collection.
