In the third quarter of 2024, the Nigeria Customs Service, specifically the Lilypond Export Command in Lagos, achieved a remarkable milestone by processing exports valued at $937 million in agricultural produce and manufactured goods. This figure, presented by the command’s Area Controller, Ajibola Odusanya, represents an extraordinary increase of 407% compared to the $184 million processed in the second quarter of the year. Such a sharp rise underscores the effectiveness of recent initiatives aimed at streamlining export processes and boosting Nigeria’s export capacity in key sectors.
Odusanya highlighted that this impressive growth aligns with the consolidation of all export operations within the command, which has resulted in enhanced efficiency. In September alone, the command facilitated the processing of 3,363 export containers, weighing a total of 221,961.53 metric tonnes, with a valuation of $202 million. Notably, agricultural commodities played a dominant role in this surge, accounting for approximately $93.7 million, while manufactured goods contributed $65 million to the figures. This notable performance reflects the strong demand for Nigerian agricultural products in international markets, emphasizing their significance in the national economy.
In addition to the substantial export value, the command noted the financial success derived from export activities, particularly through the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme (NESS). In September, revenues peaked at N1.45 billion from this scheme, indicating a robust mechanism for enhancing export supervision and quality control. Furthermore, the command collected N88 million in duties on exports of previously imported goods, adhering to the government’s Fiscal Policy of 2022. This framework not only augments the revenue stream for the government but also ensures compliance and accountability within the export sector.
The rise in the tonnage of exported goods further exemplified the command’s successful operations, with figures soaring by 368% from 86,783.93 metric tonnes to an astonishing 405,979.72 metric tonnes. The NESS also experienced substantial growth, climbing from N640 billion to N5.3 trillion, a staggering 733% increase. This escalating performance is indicative of the restructured export processing capabilities that have made significant strides in recent months.
Odusanya stressed that these advances can be attributed to the improved tracking, documentation, and enforcement of customs regulations following the recent consolidation of export operations at the Lagos ports. The centralization process has effectively bypassed previous bureaucratic hurdles, allowing for expedited export document processing and higher compliance with Nigeria Customs guidelines. This has created a more transparent and reliable export value chain, critical for facilitating trade operations and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.
In summary, the recent achievements of the Lilypond Export Command underscore the positive impact of streamlined operations and regulatory compliance in Nigeria’s export sector. The significant growth in export values and tonnage, along with increased revenue generation, evidences the successful implementation of reforms that have optimized the export process. As Nigeria continues to enhance its export capabilities, the focus on agricultural and manufactured goods as key contributors remains pivotal in driving economic growth and ensuring sustainability in international trade.
