LAGOS (SUNDIATA POST)- The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lilypond Export Command, on Thursday, said that its Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) revenue stood at N7.1 billion in the first quarter of 2025.
The Comptroller of Customs (CAC), Lilypond Export Command, Mr Ajibola Odusanya, made this known during a news conference in Lagos.
Odusanya clarified that NESS payments showed a significant rise in first quarter of 2025 when compared to the same period in 2024.
He said that the command recorded N7.1 billion in NESS payment in the first quarter of 2025, compared to N7 billion recorded in the same period of 2024.
He noted that the command recorded a significant export of diverse commodities, including agricultural produce, manufactured goods, and solid and extractive minerals, among others.
Odusanya reported that a total of 11,459 containers (both 20ft and 40ft) were handled by the command in first quarter of 2025, which is 5,568 containers higher than the 5,891 containers handled in corresponding period of 2024.
“From the 11,459 containers handled by the command in first qurter of 2025, which were stuffed with agricultural produce, earnings amounted to $596.8 million; $329.9 million was generated from manufactured goods; $50.1 million from solid minerals; and other goods accounted for $87.4 million of trade value handled in first quarter 2025.
“In comparison, agricultural produce handled in the first quarter of 2024 stood at $542.9 million, manufactured goods at $134.6 million, solid minerals at $87.4 million, and other goods handled in the first quarter of 2024 stood at $18.1 million.
“The cumulative export value in the first quarter amounted to $986.4 million, which is 318 percent higher than the $236.0 million value of export through the command in the first quarter of 2024.
“Comparatively, this shows an increase of $750.3 million, representing over 318 percent improvement in value,” Odusanya said.
He stated that under his leadership, the command had continually improved, with the prospect of attracting more exporters, therebyŵ contributing to the Federal Government’s drive for economic diversification through export.
Odusanya highlighted some Nigerian exporters who were celebrated by the service on Feb. 14, during the formal launch of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) scheme.
The Lilypond boss noted that celebrating exporters was a testament to the growth of export in the country, especially those using Lagos ports to ship out their goods.
He reiterated that under the guidance and leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adeniyi, the handling of export cargoes had been more efficient, especially with the consolidation of all exports through the Lilypond command.
According to him, the consolidation of the export command had contributed immensely to the rising progress attributed to LEXC activities following the implementation of the CGC’s directives.
Odusanya appreciated all the stakeholders and sister agencies for contributing to the increase in export, adding that they remain committed to ensuring seamless trade facilitation.(NAN)
