Workers of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), under the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), have protested in Abuja over proposed changes to the regulations governing free zones in Nigeria.
The workers described the process as a “backdoor” attempt to alter the regulatory framework without adequate participation from NEPZA, the agency legally responsible for licensing, monitoring and regulating free-zone activities.
They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and ensure that any review of the regulations involves NEPZA, its unions, management and other relevant stakeholders.
NEPZA Workers Raise Concern Over 28-Page Document
Speaking during the protest, ASCSN Chairperson of the NEPZA chapter, Comrade Amaka Ugwu, said the workers were opposing what they considered an attempt to undermine the agency’s statutory mandate.
Ugwu said NEPZA was established under the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Act 63 of 1992 and is responsible for regulating free-zone activities in Nigeria.
She alleged that a ministerial committee had spent about six months reviewing the regulations without adequately involving NEPZA.
According to her, the controversy centres on a proposed 28-page document containing changes to the regulations and guidelines governing free zones.
Ugwu alleged that NEPZA only became aware of the document after it had been completed and forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for gazetting.
She said the document was later returned to NEPZA, after which the agency was allegedly given only two days to participate in a consolidation exercise.
“What they are doing is not asking for NEPZA’s opinion. They are merely asking NEPZA to append its signature to something that has already been concluded,” Ugwu said.
Workers Demand Fresh Review
The ASCSN chairperson called for the current process to be suspended and restarted through a broader committee.
She said the committee should include NEPZA, its unions and management, as well as other stakeholders involved in the free-zone scheme.
“What we want as an agency is very simple. The Honourable Minister should go back to the drawing board and constitute a proper committee,” she said.
Ugwu warned that changes to incentives available to businesses operating within free zones could affect the attractiveness of the scheme.
She argued that weakening the incentives could discourage businesses from operating within the zones and potentially affect employment and investment.
“If the incentives and benefits that are supposed to come with operating in a free zone are removed, what is the sense of coming into the free zone? You might as well operate in the customs territory,” she said.
Workers Link Reform to Jobs and Investment
Ugwu said the dispute was not only about NEPZA as an institution but also about businesses, workers, investment and Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts.
She said free zones were established to attract investment, create employment and promote non-oil economic activities.
The workers also expressed concern that changes made without adequate stakeholder participation could weaken NEPZA’s mandate and create uncertainty over job security.
“We are calling on the Federal Government, particularly Mr President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to intervene,” Ugwu said.
She added that political appointees could change, but NEPZA and its statutory responsibilities would remain.
Federal Government Gives Different Account of Reform Process
The Federal Government has separately said its review of the economic free-zone framework is intended to restore the export orientation of the zones, address concerns around domestic sales and provide greater certainty for investors.
The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment said the reform process began in February 2026 with the inauguration of a Special Economic Zones Legislative and Regulatory Reform Committee.
According to the ministry, NEPZA and the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, alongside their respective teams, were included in the committee.
The government has said the reforms are intended to provide greater clarity around the legal and fiscal framework while preserving the incentives designed to attract investment into the zones.
The workers said they would continue their protest until their concerns were addressed.
“Until we achieve our objective. Until we get the desired result,” Ugwu said when asked how long the protest would continue.
