By George Ozalla
,Nigeria Customs Service has denied claims that it manipulates foreign exchange rates used in valuing imports and exports, saying it does not change the figures applied to cargo clearance and duty assessment. The service said all exchange rates used in customs valuation come directly from the Central Bank of Nigeria, which is responsible for determining official rates.
In a statement on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, by the National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, the agency said its digital clearance platform, B’Odogwu, automatically uses exchange‑rate data received from the Central Bank. The same rates are applied across all Customs commands nationwide.
The statement also rejected reports that the service applied an exchange rate of N1,451.63 to the dollar on February 6, 2026, saying that figure did not come from its official system. According to the service, the official rate used that day was N1,365.56 to the United States dollar.
The Nigeria Customs Service said it does not create, alter, or manipulate forex rates and that all valuations follow structured protocols to preserve the integrity of Central Bank data. The agency added it is working with the Central Bank to improve real-time transmission of rates through its systems.
The service said the statement was to correct misinformation and assure importers, exporters, and licensed agents that valuation processes remain accurate and predictable. It confirmed its commitment to supporting legitimate trade while following national fiscal and monetary policies.
