The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has signaled a renewed enforcement drive against private jet owners who have failed to settle outstanding import duties, raising the stakes in a battle over compliance, revenue recovery, and aviation regulation.
This move follows the expiration of a one-month grace period granted earlier this year through presidential intervention.
The grace window was intended to allow wealthy jet owners to regularize payments on their imported aircraft and avoid embarrassment. However, compliance has been minimal, leaving billions of naira unremitted to the government.
Sources within the Customs Service confirmed that during the first phase of the clampdown, more than 40 private jets were grounded across Nigerian airports.
Despite the extension, only four owners have taken steps toward compliance.
“Out of all these aircraft, three have fully paid duties amounting to about ₦2.4 billion, while another collected demand notes and pledged to settle soon,” a senior official told our correspondent.
Customs estimates that nearly ₦90 billion in unpaid duties remains outstanding, with officials hinting that enforcement could lead to fresh seizures of aircraft in coming weeks.
The NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, confirmed that the Service is preparing legal actions to safeguard government revenue.
“We are working behind the scenes, taking legal measures to ensure full accountability. Every kobo due to the Nigerian government must be recovered,” he said.
Enforcement may include impounding non-compliant jets, prosecuting owners who deliberately evade payment, or restricting flight operations until settlement is made.
Beyond financial losses, aviation experts have raised alarms over foreign-registered jets operating in Nigeria without re-registration.
John Ojikutu, an aviation analyst and security consultant, warned that such practices could pose serious security threats.
“Any aircraft flying in Nigeria beyond six months must be re-registered locally.
Allowing foreign-registered jets to operate indefinitely undermines our national security and weakens regulatory control,” he argued.
Other experts, including members of the Aviation Round Table, insist that non-scheduled operators — typically private jets used for luxury services — should be subject to strict oversight.
They caution that continuous waivers and lax monitoring encourage tax evasion and distort competition with commercial airlines.
Nigeria is not alone in tightening oversight of luxury aircraft. Countries such as India, Brazil, and South Africa have implemented rigorous checks on private jet imports, ensuring taxes and duties are fully paid.
In the United States and Europe, private jet owners are also required to meet stringent customs, registration, and safety obligations before operating.
Analysts argue that Nigeria must align with these global best practices to curb revenue leakage and strengthen aviation governance.
The private jet market in Nigeria has grown significantly over the past decade, driven by rising wealth among political elites and business magnates.
According to industry data, more than 100 privately owned jets operate in the country, making it one of Africa’s largest luxury aviation markets.
Olumide Ohunayo, an aviation expert, emphasized the importance of duty compliance to boost government revenue.
“Private jets are a luxury. If you can afford one, you must pay the full duties and charges. The government should not subsidize luxury at the expense of public resources,” he said.
With the grace period expired, industry observers believe the coming weeks will test the government’s resolve.
If Customs follows through, dozens of private jets risk being impounded or grounded, sending a strong signal that Nigeria is serious about enforcement.
Analysts also suggest that transparency in the enforcement process will be critical to avoid allegations of favoritism or selective application of the law.
For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Nigeria Customs Service and its determination to recover nearly ₦90 billion in unpaid duties from some of the country’s wealthiest individuals.