At least three major Nigerian banks have settled outstanding import duties on aircraft in their possession as the Federal Government intensifies its efforts to recover unpaid customs revenue.
According to a report published by Punch on Sunday, September 13, 2026, one of the banks recently paid approximately ₦3 billion to settle its obligations, while two other major banks have also completed payments on their aircraft.
The development is part of a wider recovery exercise being carried out by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to collect unpaid import duties from owners of private aircraft operating in Nigeria.
Sources familiar with the development said several aircraft owners and organisations have begun regularising their obligations following increased enforcement by government agencies.
An aviation official in Lagos reportedly confirmed that a number of aircraft owners had made payments, including some who had previously challenged the Customs demands in court.
The official said the latest payment of about ₦3 billion was made by one of the major banks, adding that two other major banks had also paid their outstanding obligations on their aircraft.
The Customs recovery campaign has reportedly generated more than ₦30 billion in unpaid import duties from owners of private aircraft. The exercise has involved collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC had previously provided Customs with information on privately owned aircraft for verification of their import duty status. The exercise was aimed at determining which aircraft had fulfilled their customs obligations and which remained liable for payment.
Following the investigation, some aircraft owners were invited to provide documentation relating to their aircraft and customs payments.
The authorities also discovered cases involving aircraft registered through offshore companies and subsequently leased to Nigerian entities linked to the same owners. These arrangements became part of the review of outstanding customs obligations.
The enforcement campaign has also involved legal action. Customs previously secured court orders relating to the impoundment of about 10 aircraft pending possible forfeiture.
The pressure has encouraged several aircraft owners and organisations to settle their outstanding obligations rather than risk further enforcement action.
The latest payments are significant for government revenue because aircraft imported into Nigeria are subject to applicable customs requirements. The Customs Service has maintained that owners must comply with the country’s import procedures and fulfil their duty obligations.
A previous Customs enforcement case also highlighted the legal requirement for aircraft imported into Nigeria to obtain the necessary customs clearance, fulfil applicable duty obligations or secure the appropriate temporary import arrangements.
For the banking sector, the development shows that financial institutions are also being subjected to increased scrutiny over assets they own or finance.
The payments could help reduce outstanding government revenue obligations while also allowing the affected banks to regularise the status of their aircraft.
The Federal Government’s broader customs enforcement campaign comes as Nigeria continues efforts to improve revenue collection and strengthen compliance across the import and trade sectors.
Customs has also been implementing the government’s 2026 fiscal policy and tariff amendments, with importers and other stakeholders directed to comply with applicable fiscal and regulatory requirements.
The settlement of the aircraft duties by the three banks therefore represents another result of the government’s ongoing push to recover unpaid revenue and enforce compliance with customs regulations.
