by 
Hameed Ali, Comptroller-General Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
The Federal Government has banned the importation of vehicles into the country through land borders.
In a statement on Monday in Abuja, Wale Adeniyi, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Public Relations Officer, stated that “the prohibition order covers all new and used vehicles”.
Adeniyi also said the ban was sequel to a presidential directive restricting all vehicle imports to Nigeria’s Sea ports only, adding that the order takes effect from January 1, 2017.
“The restriction on importation of vehicles follows that of rice; import of rice through land borders has been banned since April 2016. Importers of vehicles through the land borders are requested to utilise the grace period until December 31, 2016 to clear their vehicle imports landed in neighbouring Ports,” Adeniyi said.