By Tricia Ikem
The Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a significant boost in export performance, posting a 9.56 per cent increase in export value in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Export figures released by the Command showed that total export value rose to $858,109,319.57 in Q4 2025, compared with $783,221,101.38 recorded in the corresponding period of 2024, reflecting sustained momentum in Nigeria’s non-oil export drive.
Speaking on the development, the Customs Area Controller of the Lilypond Export Command, Samuel Olusanya Ariyibi, attributed the impressive performance to stronger participation in agricultural exports and increased shipment of locally manufactured goods.
According to him, agricultural produce remained the backbone of export activities at the command, maintaining its dominance among export commodities. The sector generated $568.27 million in Q4 2025, representing a steady rise from $542.92 million recorded in Q4 2024.
The Comptroller noted that Nigeria’s growing agricultural value chain and improved export coordination contributed significantly to the sustained growth recorded within the period under review.
In the manufactured goods category, the Command witnessed the most remarkable expansion, with export value climbing sharply to $240.46 million, up from $134.65 million in the same quarter of 2024.
The increase signals renewed confidence in Nigeria’s industrial and value-added export sector.
Operational efficiency also improved considerably as export container throughput grew by 24.26 per cent, with 13,756 export containers processed in Q4 2025, compared to 11,070 containers handled in Q4 2024.
Similarly, export surcharge collections recorded substantial growth, rising to ₦208.54 million in Q4 2025 from ₦91.95 million achieved in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
Ariyibi explained that the achievements were driven by enhanced trade facilitation measures, improved stakeholder compliance, and stronger collaboration between Customs officers and exporters operating within the command.
He further acknowledged the strategic leadership and reform initiatives of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, noting that ongoing modernization programmes have strengthened export processing efficiency nationwide.
The Controller emphasized that policy reforms and digital customs operations have continued to reduce bottlenecks associated with export documentation and cargo movement at Nigerian ports.
Industry observers believe the performance of the Lilypond Export Command aligns with the Federal Government’s broader economic diversification agenda aimed at reducing dependence on crude oil revenues.
The steady increase in non-oil exports is also expected to enhance foreign exchange earnings while positioning Nigerian products more competitively in international markets.
Stakeholders within the maritime and logistics sector have commended the Command’s performance, describing it as evidence of improved institutional capacity and export-friendly customs procedures.
With sustained reforms and growing exporter confidence, the Lilypond Export Command is projected to maintain its upward trajectory in export volumes and revenue generation in subsequent quarters.
