ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has grounded approximately 60 private jets across major Nigerian airports as part of an enforcement campaign to recover unpaid import duties.
The operation, which began quietly on Monday, June 2, 2025, has disrupted operations for high-profile individuals and corporations, including bank executives and multinational oil firms.
Officials confirmed that hangars housing luxury aircraft at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja were sealed, with affected owners reportedly reaching out to the Presidency in a bid to regain access to their aircraft.
Among the jets grounded are high-end models such as the Bombardier BD-700 Global 6000, Global 6500, and Global 7500.
The enforcement follows months of warnings and a verification exercise initiated by Customs in October 2024.
At the time, the agency threatened to ground non-compliant jets but extended the deadline to Thursday, November 14, 2024.
No further action was taken until this week, when Customs resumed enforcement without issuing a new public notice.
“Yes, enforcement has started,” confirmed Abdullahi Maiwada, spokesperson for the NCS.
“The aircraft are grounded for the non-payment of customs duty, and as soon as they come over to regularise their payment and give what is due to Nigerians, they will get it back.”
Maiwada added that the agency had issued multiple notices and provided extensions, but many owners failed to comply.
“We just have to enforce. We have to collect revenue for Nigerians so that it will be used for Nigerians,” he said.
A document dated Wednesday, June 4, 2025, signed by Deputy Comptroller-General C.K. Niagwan, indicated that some jets may be “temporarily unsealed” to allow owners to present relevant documents and discuss payment modalities.
However, the unsealing reportedly applies to only a select number of aircraft and does not constitute a waiver of owed duties.
Industry sources told The PUNCH that some private jet owners are already in talks with Customs.
A major bank has pledged to settle its liabilities by Tuesday, June 10, 2025, while a prominent energy firm is negotiating the release of three of its grounded jets.
Reactions from aviation and security experts were swift.
Former Nigeria Airways engineer Frank Oruye urged both Customs and operators to adopt international best practices, noting that investors should fulfil their tax obligations while Customs must be guided by professionalism.
He cited long-standing disputes over the classification of aircraft components and duty assessments.
“Investors and importers should be ready to foot all local taxes and customs duties,” Oruye said.
“But NCS should also avoid arbitrary levies that could harm the aviation sector.”
Retired Group Captain John Ojikutu raised deeper concerns, alleging that many of the grounded jets are foreign-registered and operate without proper clearance.
He described this as a national security risk and called for stricter regulatory oversight from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“In the first place, why are foreign-registered aircraft flying in the country? Who permitted them?” Ojikutu queried.
“They can’t fly without security clearance. It’s a serious lapse.”
