Human rights lawyer Adeyanju Deji has praised President Bola Tinubu and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for introducing a two-year exemption on import duties and VAT for essential healthcare manufacturing materials. He described the move as a major step toward improving Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
The exemption, approved through an executive order, covers critical materials such as Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), excipients, reagents, packaging materials, Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs), and Rapid Diagnostic Kits. Adeyanju believes this decision will reduce the cost of medical supplies and improve healthcare accessibility, particularly for rural communities.
“This initiative is a lifeline for our healthcare sector. However, strict monitoring is needed to ensure only certified manufacturers benefit,” he stated.
Adeyanju also urged the government to extend similar incentives to other key industries to cushion the effects of inflation. Additionally, he called for urgent action to tackle the rising threat of counterfeit drugs, which he says have claimed too many Nigerian lives.
“The Nigeria Customs Service must work closely with other regulatory bodies to stop the influx of fake drugs. This is a matter of life and death,” he emphasized.
He concluded by urging the government to introduce more policies that prioritize citizens’ well-being, ensuring better healthcare access for all Nigerians.
