The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has formally launched its Automated Excise Register System (ERS), a digital platform designed to modernise excise management and streamline all excise-related transactions.
The system, which has completed a successful pilot phase, is now fully operational at three major tobacco manufacturing plants—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.
NCS National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the factories were selected for the pilot due to their pivotal role in the excise sector and their readiness to adopt digital reforms.
The pilot, conducted between July and August 2025, featured User Acceptance Testing (UAT), system validation, and extensive training for both Customs officers and factory staff. BATN achieved a 75% efficiency score during testing, while all three factories successfully integrated their production and reporting systems with the ERS.
With the platform now live, excise operations at the pilot sites—including production monitoring, duty assessment, and statutory reporting—will be fully automated. The shift is expected to minimise manual processes, improve data accuracy, and promote transparency across the excise value chain.
According to NCS, the ERS is a key component of the broader Trade Modernisation Project, aimed at improving accountability and efficiency in Customs operations. Insights from the pilot will guide the nationwide rollout to other excise-regulated sectors, including beverages, spirits, and additional manufacturing industries.
“The implementation of the ERS represents a major milestone in transforming excise administration in Nigeria,” the statement read. “We anticipate that this innovation will strengthen compliance, enhance operational efficiency, and boost sustainable revenue generation for the Federal Government.”
The Service also cautioned stakeholders to comply with the new excise regulations, noting that under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, agents and operators who violate provisions risk penalties of up to ₦5 million or imprisonment.
