NEPZA Pushes for 10-Year Tax Break to Shield SEZ Investors, Sustain Nigeria’s FDI Drive. By Raymond Enoch
The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has asked the Federal Government to grant a 10-year tax exemption to all operators in the nation’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs), warning that recent changes to tax laws could undermine investor confidence and threaten the country’s foreign direct investment targets.
The appeal was made during a virtual stakeholder dialogue hosted by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment on Thursday in Abuja.
In a statement signed by Martins Odeh, Ph.D., Head, Corporate Communications, NEPZA, the Authority said the call became urgent following persistent complaints from operators across local and international platforms, noting that the uncertainty created by the new tax regime was “deleterious to attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)”.
Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, Managing Director and CEO of NEPZA, said tax reprieves formed the backbone of Nigeria’s SEZ system and must be preserved if the country intends to keep pace with global competitiveness. Represented by Mrs. Haleema Sani Kamba, Director of Corporate Services, Ogunyemi urged the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to approve a 10-year “sunset period” to allow investors transition smoothly.
> “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,” Mrs. Kamba said, reiterating the request twice on behalf of the NEPZA boss.
“We hope the Chairman will consider this for the benefit of the scheme.”
According to Ogunyemi, the country must strike a balance between boosting revenue and honouring the incentive-based structure that has long defined the SEZ model. He said stability, predictability and clear backward linkages too local industries were crucial to sustaining industrial growth.
Nigeria currently hosts 63 Free Trade Zones housing over 700 enterprises, which NEPZA described as the “cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial and export strategy.” The Authority argued that maintaining global tax standards and incentive packages was essential to ensure these firms remain profitable and positioned to generate significant revenue over time.
> “Nigeria is open for business, and NEPZA will continue to stand with FIRS and other relevant stakeholders through this transition, ensuring stability, competitiveness, and sustained investor confidence,” Ogunyemi added.
NEPZA maintained that clarity within the tax system was vital as companies begin drawing up their 2026 business plans, describing the virtual forum as evidence of the government’s commitment to transparency and engagement with the private sector.
Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said ongoing reforms targeting national revenue frameworks, SEZ incentive structures and updated Financial Reporting Council compliance standards are designed to strengthen Nigeria’s business environment and unlock sustainable economic growth.
