Nigerians may have to pay more for chickens as the Federal Government has banned importation of poultry foods from countries outside the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Many Nigerian homes rely on frozen poultry food which comes cheaper than live ones.  A kilo of frozen chicken presently cost between N5,500 and N6000. Those who can’t afford a kilo are allowed to buy half of it. Live chicken on the other hand costs between N20,000 and N40, 000 without any opportunity to buy half portion.

Aside from poultry food, the federal government also  banned the importation of cement, pharmaceutical and agricultural products.

According to a circular by the federal ministry of finance, signed by Wale Edun, the minister of finance, dated April 1, 2026,  the products are part of 17 items on a revised import prohibition list.

“Import Prohibition list (Trade), applicable only to certain goods originating from non-ECOWAS Member States. It consists of 17 items,” the circular reads.

The revised import prohibition list is part of the 2026 fiscal policy measures (FPM) and tariff amendments.

“In addition, a grace period of ninety (90) days, commencing from the effective date of implementation of this circular, i.e., 1st April 2026, shall be granted to all importers who had opened Form ‘M’ and must have entered into irrevocable Trade Agreement before the coming into effect of this circular, to process and clear their goods at the prevailing duty rates,” the circular reads.

“However, any new import transaction entered from the 1st of April 2026, shall be subjected to the new import duty regime.

“These Fiscal Policy Measures which supersede the 2023 Fiscal Policy Measures shall be published in the Official Federal Government Gazette.”

Below are list of the items on the revised import prohibition list.

(1). Live or dead birds, including frozen poultry

(2). Pork/beef, including tongues, livers, and shoulders of bovine animals

(3). Bird eggs, excluding hatching eggs of grand parent stock for breeding and research purposes

(4). Refined vegetable oil, excluding refined linseed, castor oil, olive oil, and hydrogenated vegetable fats, and crude vegetable oil

(5). Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form containing added flavouring or colouring matters

(6). Cocoa butter, powder and cakes, including fat and oil of cocoa and natural cocoa butter

(7). Tomatoes, whole or in pieces, tomato paste or concentrates

(8). Waters, including mineral waters and aerated waters, containing added sugar or sweetening matter or flavoured, once snow, as well as other non-alcoholic beverages

(9). Bagged cement

(10). Medicament (medicine) under several headings

(11). Waste pharmaceuticals

(12). Mineral or chemical fertilisers containing the three fertilising elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK)

(13). Soaps and detergents

(14). Corrugated paper and paper boards, cartons, boxes and cases made from corrugated paper and paper boards

(15). Hollow glass bottles of a capacity exceeding 150 mis (0.15 litres), such as carboys, bottles and flasks

(16). Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600mm or more, clad, plated or coated – corrugated

(17). Ball point pen and parts, including refills (excluding tip) for Ball point pens, comprising the Ball point and ink-reservoir

Also, the federal government introduced 2 percent green tax surcharge or excise duty on motor vehicles with engine size of 2009 cc – 3999 cc and 4000 cc – above.

This is weird and discomforting.  United Nigeria Airlines Thursday,  recorded its third bird strike in less than 48 hours, grounding another Embraer 190 and setting what industry watchers call an unprecedented safety disruption for the carrier.

The latest incident occurred during take-off of Flight UN0561 from Benin City Airport to Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 16:20 on Thursday, April 16, 2026, damaging the Nose Landing Gear door linkage, the airline said in a statement on Friday.

The aircraft has been immediately withdrawn from service for detailed technical inspections and maintenance, consistent with the airline’s safety standards.

This brings to seven the number of bird strikes United Nigeria has suffered in 2026 alone. However, the airline noted it only reports strikes that result in aircraft being grounded due to damage.

Calling the pattern “extremely concerning and unacceptable,” Public Relations Officer Chibuike Uloka,, said the rapid succession of three groundings within 48 hours has impacted safety and operational reliability.

United Nigeria urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to strengthen wildlife hazard management measures across major airports to minimize the risk of such occurrences.

The airline apologized to passengers for service disruptions and said its team is working to minimize impact and support affected travelers, stressing that safety remains its highest priority.

The number of homeless Nigerians may skyrocket soon, as Dangote Cement and BUA Cement, have reportedly adjusted cement prices nationwide.

A bag, according to a reports  Legit now sells for as high as N12,000 in many parts of the country.

Industry operators say the latest increase marks another sharp jump from previous prices of between N11,000 and N11,500, deepening concerns about affordability and slowing construction activities.

Experts point to rising energy costs as the primary trigger behind the new pricing regime. Manufacturers are grappling with higher fuel prices, which directly impact production processes that rely heavily on energy.

Chairman of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Construction and Engineering Group, Soji Adeniji, explained to Legit.ng that the surge in fuel prices has significantly raised factory operating costs.

According to him, the increase in petrol prices from around N1,000 to nearly N1,900 per litre has placed additional pressure on cement producers, forcing them to pass on the cost to consumers.

Logistics and distribution add pressure

Beyond production, logistics has emerged as another major factor behind the price hike.

The cost of transporting cement from factories to distributors and end users has climbed sharply, a report by Punch said. Industry players note that there is now a clear price gap between factory pickup and delivered cement.

While some buyers may access cement at lower rates directly from factories, delivery costs push retail prices significantly higher. This growing disparity highlights how transportation expenses continue to shape final market prices.

Global factors are also at play

Stakeholders also link the rising prices to global developments, particularly tensions in the Middle East, which have disrupted energy markets worldwide.

These disruptions have cascading effects on input costs, further compounding the challenges faced by manufacturers already dealing with local economic pressures.