Ayomide Awe
The Lilypond Export Command (LEXC) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded an impressive revenue of $937,357,129.90 in duty payments on cargo shipments between June and September 2024.
This figure marks a significant success in Nigeria’s efforts to boost exports and diversify its economy beyond oil.
The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Ajibola Odusanya, disclosed this during a visit by the management of Great Achievers Magazine, led by its publisher, Yomi Ogunsanu, at the Command’s headquarters in Lagos on Thursday.
According to Odusanya, the substantial revenue growth underscores the Command’s efficiency in processing exports and the positive impact of the consolidation of export seats at Lilypond.
Odusanya noted a remarkable 368.02% surge in exported goods tonnage, increasing from 86,783.93 metric tons to 405,979.72 metric tons.
This surge, he said, reflects the Command’s enhanced export processing capacity, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s non-oil revenue stream.
“Within April and June 2024, the Command processed 2,488 containers with a duty-paid value of about $184 million,” Odusanya revealed.
“Our Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) revenue also grew exponentially by 733.22%, rising from N640 million to over N5.3 billion, signaling an extraordinary performance in export revenue generation.”
This tremendous increase in revenue, according to Odusanya, is the direct result of better tracking, documentation, and removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks that previously stifled export processes.
A key aspect of Odusanya’s briefing was his emphasis on the opportunities available for small-scale exporters through Nigeria’s export promotion policies.
He urged exporters, especially those with low capacity, to leverage the grouping or “groupage” system, which allows several exporters to combine smaller volumes of goods to fill a container.
“For those without the capacity to export large volumes, the groupage system offers a vital opportunity. It enables small-scale exporters to combine goods into a single shipment, allowing them to earn foreign currency without the financial burden of filling an entire container,” Odusanya explained.
He encouraged potential exporters of commodities such as cashew nuts, sesame seeds, hibiscus flower, ginger, and charcoal to take advantage of the system.
The Command also facilitates the exportation of manufactured goods, including solid minerals like lithium ore, aluminium, and iron ore.
The Lilypond Command’s reforms have led to more efficient export operations.
Odusanya emphasized that the Command has eliminated bottlenecks, leading to faster processing times for export documentation and higher compliance with NCS regulations.
Containers now stay for less than 24 hours before clearance, a sharp improvement from previous delays.
“We deal exclusively with sea-bound exports, and all containerized goods meant for export must be processed at our Command,” he said, adding that officers are dispatched to various locations, including Ondo, Oyo, and Ogun states, to conduct necessary inspections.
Odusanya commended the collaborative efforts between the NCS and other regulatory agencies, such as the DSS, NDLEA, NAFDAC, and the Police. Their roles, he said, have been critical in ensuring the smooth running of export procedures.
The success of the Lilypond Command has wider implications for Nigeria’s economy.
According to Great Achievers Magazine publisher Yomi Ogunsanu, the Command’s performance is a step toward reducing the nation’s over-reliance on oil exports.
“ By facilitating smoother export processes for non-oil products, the Command is helping to stabilize the naira”, he said.
Ogunsanu, however, called on the federal government to rehabilitate the roads leading to the Lilypond Export Command in Ijora, Lagos.
He noted that the poor state of the roads could hinder the Command’s efficiency and ease of doing business if not urgently addressed.
Ogunsanu urged the Command to intensify its public sensitization efforts on the importance of export business, noting that many Nigerians are unaware of the opportunities available to them in the export sector.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that with ongoing reforms and increased transparency in export processes, the Lilypond Export Command appears well-positioned to drive Nigeria’s non-oil export growth and enhance the country’s competitiveness in the global market.
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