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UK Reaffirms Commitment to Nigeria with 99% Duty-Free Access Under DCTS

UK Reaffirms Commitment to Nigeria with 99% Duty-Free Access Under DCTS
By: Michael Mike
The United Kingdom (UK) has confirmed that Nigeria will continue to enjoy duty-free access on 99% of total goods exported to the UK market under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).
The DCTS is part of the UK’s strategy to support growing economies like Nigeria by reducing tariffs on thousands of goods, simplifying export rules for Nigerian businesses and making it easier to qualify for trade benefits. The scheme lowers import cost for UK businesses and offers consumers a wider range of affordable products.
Since its launch in June 2023, the Developing Countries Trading Scheme allows Nigeria and 36 other African countries to export over 3,000 products duty-free or at reduced tariffs to the UK, supporting Nigerian businesses to grow and become more competitive on the global stage.
Through the DCTS, Nigerian exporters can sell key goods like cocoa, yam, tomatoes, plantain, shrimp, and other agricultural products to the UK at reduced tariffs. The scheme also supports processed and value-added products like cocoa paste and cocoa butter, sesame and Palm oil, cashew nuts, cotton clothing, and cocoa paste, helping Nigeria move beyond raw materials exports.
Commenting on the DCTS, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, said: “As one of the UK’s most important partners in Africa, Nigeria stands at the heart of the UK’s global trade ambitions, and we want to strengthen the trade ties between our two great nations and unlock the power of sustainable and transformative growth in Nigeria and across emerging economies.
“A major advantage of the UK’s developing countries trading scheme is the reduction or complete elimination of duty-tariffs on everyday goods such as cashew nuts, cocoa, cotton, plantain, tomatoes, prawns, and sesame. This isn’t just about improved access into the UK market, it’s about building a fairer, freer global trading system that supports economic growth and job creation, both in developing countries and in the UK.”
Speaking further, Dr Montgomery added: “Through the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) we are continuing to work alongside the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) to tackle export challenges and ensure the DCTS is fully leveraged by Nigerian businesses to improve trade growth between our two countries.”
This trade framework is part of a wider UK effort to build strong economic ties across the world, with recent trade agreements also signed with major economies like India and the United States.
UK Reaffirms Commitment to Nigeria with 99% Duty-Free Access Under DCTS
News
Benue: You’re Doing Well, South West Political Leaders Tell Governor Alia…Consoles Yelwata Community Over Killings

Benue: You’re Doing Well, South West Political Leaders Tell Governor Alia
…Consoles Yelwata Community Over Killings
By: Michael Mike
Political Leaders from the Southwest have lauded Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue state as a performing governor during a visit to the state capital, Makurdi.
Top leaders under the auspices of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), during a condolence visit to the people of Yelwata community in Guma local government area of Benue state where over 200 persons were killed by suspected herdsmen with many others injured and displaced recently, were impressed by how the state government handled both the medical and the political outcome of the attack.
The delegation led by it chairman, Prince Dr Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi also visited the survivors of the attack undergoing treatment at the Reverend Father Moses Orshio Adasu University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.
Recalled that President Bola Tinubu had visited Benue on the heels of the deadly attack in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area and directed security agencies to urgently gather actionable intelligence and flush out the armed herdsmen responsible for the dastardly act.
Addressing leaders and members of the Yelwata community, Olusi consoled with them, assuring that the GAC shared in their pains and that the highest body of the APC in Lagos would support every effort to restore peace in the area.
He said the visit which was in solidarity with the APC-led administration of the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr Dr Hyacinth Alia, is intended to comfort the families of the deceased, victims and survivors so as to let them know that they were not alone in their challenge time but they have empathy of others.
“Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), a top organ of the Lagos APC is here in solidarity with the APC administration of your hardworking Governor, His Excellency, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia to console with you and assure you that we feel your pains and we will also support all efforts to restore security and reinkindle hope.
“We also appeal to you to keep faith with the administration of the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who here in Benue to condole with you and gave directives to the security agencies to fish out the culprits and restore security so that you can go about your normal businesses.
“The mother of the nation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu was here too to bring succour to you. Your Governor, His Excellency, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia is also doing his best in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of the APC-led government to make you more secured and comfortable,”Olusi said.
At the Adasu University Teaching Hospital, the delegation sympathised with the victims undergoing treatment and recuperating, and wished them quick recovery.
The delegation also took time to visit the High-level roundabout underpass in Makurdi and other infrastructural development projects embarked upon by Alia administration.
The Olusi-led GAC delegation, lauded Governor Alia’s giant strides in Benue state, almost surpassing previous administrations in just two years and urged people of the state to continue to support him to do more.
Benue: You’re Doing Well, South West Political Leaders Tell Governor Alia
…Consoles Yelwata Community Over Killings
News
Police foil bandits’ attack, recover AK-47 rifle in Abuja

Police foil bandits’ attack, recover AK-47 rifle in Abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have foiled an attempted kidnapping by a notorious bandit gang and recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition during a midnight operation in the outskirts of the territory.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the operation followed credible intelligence from the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) of the Force Headquarters about a planned attack led by a gang leader identified as Idrisa, also known as Mai Duna.
Acting swiftly, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit laid an ambush between 9 p.m. on Oct. 10 and 1 a.m. on Oct. 11 along the rail track near Grow Home Estate, a location bordering the FCT and Niger State.
The armed gang, divided into two groups targeting Grow Home Estate and Royal Champion Church in Chikakore, Byazhin District, was intercepted by the police team.
A fierce gun duel ensued, lasting about 20 minutes, after which the bandits were subdued, forcing many to flee with suspected gunshot wounds.
During the search of the area, police recovered an AK-47 rifle with a defaced breech number, one magazine, and a live round of 7.62mm ammunition.
Reinforcement from the military, DSS, and local hunters was deployed to the area to secure the communities and block escape routes.
Sources said that the Commissioner of Police assured residents of continued security presence and renewed commitment to maintaining peace and safety in the FCT.
The Anti-Kidnapping Unit has commenced further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Police foil bandits’ attack, recover AK-47 rifle in Abuja
News
Police arrest mentally unstable woman for killing IDP in Monguno

Police arrest mentally unstable woman for killing IDP in Monguno
By: Zagazola Makama
The Borno State Police Command has arrested a mentally unstable woman for allegedly killing a fellow internally displaced person (IDP) in Monguno Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said that on Oct. 10, 2025, at about 4:35 p.m., one Modu Kolomi of RRR IDPs Camp reported that a woman identified as Yagana Zara, aged 40, of the Water Board IDPs Camp, attacked his wife, Yagana Abba Butu, aged 30, with a wooden stirrer.
The suspect, said to be mentally challenged, allegedly beat the victim severely, resulting in fatal internal injuries.
Security forces Monguno promptly visited the scene, rescued the suspect from mob action, and evacuated the victim to the General Hospital, Monguno, where she was confirmed dead on arrival.
The body was deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy and later released to the family for burial according to Islamic rites.
According to sources, the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Maiduguri, has commenced investigation, while the suspect has been taken to a state psychiatric facility for mental evaluation.
End
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