The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has called on the Federal Government to grant a 10-year exemption from newly introduced tax laws for all operators within the nation’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
The Authority said the measure has become necessary in view of mounting concerns among local and international investors, warning that uncertainty around tax obligations could undermine efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the zones.
Managing Director of NEPZA, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, made the appeal during a virtual stakeholder dialogue hosted by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment on Thursday. He was represented by Mrs. Haleema Sani Kamba, Director of Corporate Services.
Ogunyemi said tax reliefs form the backbone of the SEZ scheme, adding that a 10-year “sunset period” would provide stability, predictability, and adequate time for operators to adjust to the new fiscal regime.
“The Managing Director/CEO has instructed me to make this special appeal to the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, requesting a sunset period of approximately 10 years for all our investors,” Kamba said. “We hope the Chairman will consider this for the benefit of the scheme.”
She added that Nigeria’s 63 Free Trade Zones and more than 700 enterprises operating within them remain central to the country’s industrialisation and export strategy. Granting the requested relief, she said, would keep the zones aligned with global best practices that rely on competitive incentives to attract and retain long-term investment.
Ogunyemi reaffirmed NEPZA’s commitment to the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and pledged continued collaboration with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and other stakeholders to ensure stability, competitiveness, and investor confidence during the transition.
Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, noted that ongoing reforms including adjustments to the national revenue system, incentive frameworks for Special Economic Zones, and enhanced compliance under the Financial Reporting Council are designed to foster a more competitive environment for trade and investment.
