The Organised Private Sector of Nigeria has urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and halt the passage of the proposed Customs, Excise and Tariff Amendment Bill, warning that a new levy on non-alcoholic beverages will worsen production costs and threaten jobs.

The OPS, comprising the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists, and the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, made the call in an advertorial signed by their presidents and directors-general.

The group asked the Federal Government to engage the National Assembly leadership to halt the legislative process and withdraw the bill to allow for alignment with ongoing fiscal reforms.

The OPS said, “While we fully support well-designed fiscal reforms and evidence-based public health interventions, we are concerned that the Bill, in its current form, raises significant social, economic, administrative, and legal issues that could undermine Your Excellency’s broader fiscal reform objectives.”

The private sector warned that the proposed percentage levy per litre on non-alcoholic beverages would further strain an already pressured industry grappling with exchange rate volatility, high energy costs, and rising input prices.

It said, “An additional excise burden would further increase production costs, reduce capacity utilisation, delay or cancel planned investments, and threaten the livelihoods of thousands of small distributors, retailers, and informal traders who depend on high-volume, low-margin sales.

“These pressures would inevitably be passed on to consumers through higher prices, leading to reduced demand and potential further job losses across the value chain.”

The OPS added that the levy would reduce consumer purchasing power without delivering meaningful public health benefits.

However, it commended the President for ongoing economic reforms, noting that they have helped restore macroeconomic stability and rebuild business confidence.

Arinze Nwafor is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with five years of experience reporting on Nigeria’s economy, industry, data, metro, and judiciary. He focuses on highlighting growth, policy, and market challenges shaping Africa’s largest economy. Arinze’s reporting reflects practical newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a strong commitment to accurate, informative, and audience-focused journalism.