Lagos: The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) is advocating for the formation of a joint task force comprising the association, police, and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to address the issue of illegal levies imposed on manufacturers. MAN President, Mr. Francis Meshioye, highlighted this concern during the 55th Annual General Meeting of the association’s Apapa Branch in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Meshioye expressed that manufacturers in Apapa are burdened with multiple taxes and levies from government agencies and non-state actors, particularly along industrial and port access roads. Meshioye stressed that illegal collections along major trade corridors have significantly increased operating costs for manufacturers and urged the Lagos State Government to implement a ‘No-Tout Zone’ policy in industrial areas to curb these practices.
Meshioye pointed out the challenges faced by manufacturers, stating, “In Apapa, taxation comes from everywhere. A truck moving ra
w materials from the port to Amuwo can be stopped by multiple agencies before it gets to the factory gate, in addition to corporate tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), and state levies.” He further called for safeguards against illegal levies in Amuwo, Kirikiri, and other port access roads and suggested a single bill covering port-related charges to eliminate multiple fees on container movement.
The MAN President urged the state government to collaborate with the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to streamline the process. He emphasized that the impact of these reforms should be measured by increased business expansion, investment, and employment. Additionally, Meshioye proposed the establishment of an Apapa Trade Corridor Authority to manage roads, drainage, security, and regulations across Apapa, Amuwo, and Kirikiri.
MAN Apapa Branch Chairman, Mr. Raphael Danilola, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the difficult operating environment created by multiple taxation, regulatory burdens,
insecurity, high energy costs, expensive credit, and port charges. Danilola urged the Lagos State Government to rehabilitate the Amuwo-Odofin drainage and road networks, curb extortion by non-state actors, and review agency mandates to eliminate duplication. He stated, “Ultimately, our concern is simple: how do we ensure that tax reform strengthens manufacturing competitiveness rather than adds another layer of pressure on businesses already operating in a challenging environment?”
Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board, Mr. Olusegun Adesokan, noted that the new tax administration framework has reduced more than 100 taxes to nine unified revenue heads at the sub-national level. The framework covers income tax, stamp duty, property tax, road tax, haulage levy, economic development levy, harmonized levy, user charge, and daily tickets. Adesokan added that the framework abolishes revenue roadblocks along transportation corridors and prohibits cash payments for taxes, with penalties for offenders.
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irector-General, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, commented on the new tax laws effective from January 1, 2026, stating they could reposition the tax system to support productivity if effectively implemented. Previously, manufacturers faced between 120 and 160 taxes and levies, which created high compliance costs and uncertainty. The new regime, limiting taxes and levies to nine, aims to simplify compliance and provide greater certainty for businesses. Ajayi-Kadir also advocated for an effective tax ombudsman system to resolve disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.