The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has grounded approximately 60 private jets across major Nigerian airports to recover unpaid import duties. The grounding includes sealing of private jet hangars at Lagos and Abuja airports. Owners, including bank executives and multinational oil companies, have started lobbying the Presidency for the release of their aircraft.
Among the grounded luxury jets are Bombardier BD-700 Global 6000, 6500, and 7500 models. Aviation officials and NCS representatives confirmed the action, citing unpaid import duties amounting to billions of naira. The NCS had previously asked jet owners to participate in a verification exercise to identify defaulters.
Initially planned for October 14, 2024, the grounding was postponed after the NCS extended the verification deadline to November 14, 2024. The agency’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, attributed the delay to ongoing court cases. However, enforcement quietly began on Monday, with jets sealed at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Maiwada affirmed the NCS’s commitment: “The aircraft are grounded for non-payment of customs duty, and as soon as they regularise their payment, they will get them back.” He recalled extended appeals to defaulters, which were ignored. Sources revealed some owners have reached out to the Presidency, with promises of payment from a top bank and an energy company.
Rumors suggest the NCS is temporarily unsealing some jets to allow owners to present documents and negotiate duty settlements. A June 4, 2025 document from Deputy-Comptroller General C.K. Niagwan confirmed this move, emphasizing it does not waive any obligations.
Experts like Frank Oruye, former deputy director of engineering at Nigerian Airways, urge adherence to global best practices and full payment of dues to ensure a healthy aviation sector. Retired Group Captain John Ojikutu warned about security risks from foreign-registered jets operating without proper clearance, calling for stricter regulation by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.