Lilypond Export Command Records $1.58bn in Exports, 200% Container Surge in H1 2025
Author: Femi Anamelechi.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lilypond Export Command (LEXC), has recorded remarkable growth in export activities in the first half of 2025, with a total export value of $1.58 billion and a 200% increase in container throughput.
Speaking at the Command’s half-year press briefing on Thursday, 31 July 2025, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya attributed the milestones to improved compliance, enhanced documentation, and growing exporter confidence.
“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. This represents a growth rate of approximately 36%,” he stated.
According to him, the Command processed 27,721 export containers between January and June 2025, a significant rise from the 9,438 containers recorded during the same period in 2024. The increase of 18,283 containers marks a 200% surge in throughput.
Agricultural exports continued to dominate, with a total value of $966.7 million in the first half of 2025, up from $288.8 million in H1 2024.
Manufactured goods also posted exponential growth, rising to ₦2.08 billion from ₦170 million within the same period—an indication of Nigeria’s expanding industrial capacity and ongoing export diversification.
Under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme, which mandates statutory fees on all legitimate exports, the Command processed ₦12 billion in the first half of 2025, compared to ₦2.6 billion in the same period last year.
Comptroller Odusanya described the deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), codenamed B’Odogwu, as a major technological breakthrough for streamlined 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 said.
He also highlighted the Command’s strong collaboration with other regulatory agencies, including the NDLEA, NAFDAC, NAQS, SON, and the Police. He reaffirmed the Command’s open-door policy, encouraging exporters and freight forwarders to prioritise compliance and transparency.
“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 added.
Comptroller Odusanya urged exporters and trade operators to stay compliant and avoid actions that contravene existing laws. He also appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for his steadfast support and visionary leadership in reforming the non-oil export sector.
