The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lilypond Export Command (LEXC), has posted outstanding growth in export activities for the first half of 2025, with total export value reaching $1.58 billion and container throughput surging by 200%, according to the Command’s half-year report delivered on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, made this known during the Command’s mid-year press briefing. In a post shared via the Command’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Odusanya credited the impressive performance to heightened exporter compliance, improved documentation processes, and increased confidence in the system.
“Our cumulative export value for H1 2025 stood at $1,586,041,100.25—an increase of $420.9 million over the $1.16 billion recorded in the same period last year, representing a growth rate of approximately 36%,” Odusanya announced.
The Command processed 27,721 export containers between January and June 2025, a massive leap from 9,438 containers handled in H1 2024—an increase of 18,283 containers, representing a 200% rise in throughput.
Agricultural and Manufactured Exports Soar
Agricultural exports maintained dominance with a total value of $966.7 million in H1 2025, up significantly from $288.8 million in the corresponding period of 2024. Manufactured goods exports also experienced exponential growth, rising from ₦170 million in H1 2024 to ₦2.08 billion in H1 2025—an indication of expanding local production and diversification of Nigeria’s export portfolio.
Under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS)—which mandates statutory fees on all legitimate exports—the Command collected ₦12 billion in the first half of 2025, up from ₦2.6 billion during the same period in 2024.
UCMS Platform Boosts Trade Facilitation
Comptroller Odusanya also lauded the deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), codenamed B’Odogwu, calling it a significant breakthrough in export documentation and trade facilitation.
“The UCMS platform holds immense potential for enhancing trade facilitation, boosting revenue collection, and reinforcing accountability to our stakeholders,” he stated.
He further noted the Command’s collaboration with regulatory agencies such as the NDLEA, NAFDAC, NAQS, SON, and the Nigeria Police, all working together to ensure efficient, lawful trade operations.
Stakeholder Engagement and National Economic Growth
Comptroller Odusanya reaffirmed the Command’s open-door policy and urged exporters and freight forwarders to uphold full compliance and transparency in their operations.
“Feedback from stakeholders continues to validate our efforts. Lilypond remains a preferred hub for non-oil exports, making meaningful contributions to national economic growth,” he emphasized.
He also extended his appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for his consistent support and visionary leadership in transforming Nigeria’s non-oil export landscape.
As Nigeria intensifies its push for export-led growth, the Lilypond Export Command’s strong H1 performance signals renewed momentum in the country’s trade and economic diversification drive.
Credit: @CustomsNG via x.com
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