The Federal Government has grounded around 60 private jets in Nigeria as part of an effort to recover unpaid import duties.
This action, carried out by the Nigeria Customs Service, began quietly on Monday and affected both individually owned and company-registered aircraft.
The jets were grounded at major airports, including Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Reports say private jet hangars at these locations were also sealed. Owners of the affected aircraft—ranging from bank executives to multinational oil companies—are now reaching out to the Presidency in hopes of securing the release of their jets.
The move follows a verification exercise launched by the Nigeria Customs Service to identify aircraft with unpaid import duties.
Despite repeated calls for jet owners to participate in the process and regularize their documents, many failed to comply.
The Customs Service had earlier extended the verification deadline from October 14, 2024, to November 14, 2024, but took no action until now due to legal constraints.
Customs officials say the grounding is part of a strict enforcement effort to collect revenues owed to the government.
Billions of naira in import duties remain unpaid on several luxury aircraft, including models like Bombardier BD-700 Global 6000, Global 6500, and Global 7500.
According to Customs sources, the operation began without new public notice, as the agency believes affected individuals were already aware of the pending enforcement due to previous communications.
The service insists that aircraft will remain grounded until owners complete the required payment and submit proper documentation.
In the days following the enforcement, several jet owners have begun negotiating with Customs and even reaching out to the Presidency.
One commercial bank reportedly promised to make payments in the coming days, while other companies, including an energy firm with three jets, are said to be in talks through representatives.
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