Nigeria’s export sector recorded significant growth in 2024, with the total value of goods facilitated through the newly-consolidated export terminal reaching approximately $1.9 billion.
The development follows the full operationalization of the Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, which became the sole command handling export processes in the southwest ports since July 2024, following a directive from the government and key agencies such as the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
The move, according to the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Lillypond command; Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya was aimed at streamlining export processes and eliminating multiple handling points that previously delayed shipments.
The figure, which could have been higher had the consolidation occurred earlier in the year, is expected to see a significant increase in 2025. Already, in February 2025 alone, the command facilitated exports worth $225,131,597.39, with a similar figure recorded in January.
This growth the CAC said is largely attributed to the seamless processing now available at the command, where all relevant agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, have dedicated officers stationed to handle export documentation and clearance.
Before the streamlining of the export process, goods cleared by one agency at Lilypond often faced additional scrutiny and stoppages at other ports such as Apapa and Tin Can. The new arrangement ensures that once goods are processed at Lilypond, they can move unhindered into the ports, significantly reducing delays and costs for exporters. This has boosted confidence in the system, with more exporters leveraging the improved structure.
The CAC explained that a major bottleneck affecting the smooth flow of exports is the electronic call-up system (eto), which regulates truck movement into the ports. Due to congestion caused by imported goods, especially those under the fast-track scheme, many export-bound containers remain stranded at Lilypond, awaiting available slots for entry into the port. This backlog, however, is not attributed to customs delays but rather to the logistics of port access and space availability.
The congestion issue has been compounded by the volume of cargoes handled at Apapa Port, which remains the primary exit point for exports due to the high number of available vessels. Tin Can Port, on the other hand, has experienced fewer delays due to the existence of an export processing terminal that helps manage cargo flow more efficiently.
He said while Lilypond Export Command is not a revenue-generating unit for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), as 99.6% of exports do not attract duty, it plays a critical role in facilitating trade.
He said the only instances where duties are paid involve temporary imports that are later exported, goods that undergo repair and re-export, and items that ordinarily require special approvals for exportation.
The Nigeria Export Proceeds,(NXP) a crucial element for enhancing trade facilitation, remains a key concern among exporters. Many have raised concerns over its implementation and efficiency, particularly following Rwanda’s recent decision to halt its own NXP.
However, the CAC assured that efforts are ongoing to address exporters’ concerns and ensure that the system functions optimally to further improve Nigeria’s export processes.
