Emmanuel Ochayi
The Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it had overseen the exportation of 12,438 containers, with a Free On Board (FOB) value exceeding $518 million, between January and September 2023. Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, shared this news in a statement from Lagos on Thursday.
Breaking down the numbers, Odusanya stated, “From January to the end of September, the command has facilitated the export of 12,438 export containers. We have 6,524 20-foot containers and 5,914 40-foot containers, all totaling a FOB value of $518,690,852.93.”
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Agricultural products, locally manufactured goods, and solid minerals comprised the bulk of these exports. Odusanya detailed, “We have agricultural produce such as cocoa, cashew, soya, ginger, hibiscus flower (zobo leaves), cotton, sesame seeds, and others. Additionally, we have locally manufactured goods like cigarettes, cosmetic items, beverages, and solid minerals such as aluminium, copper, magnesium, lithium, and zinc. Other sundry commodities like foodstuff and personal effects were also part of this successful export story.”
Highlighting the efficiency of the Lilypond Export Command, Odusanya described it as a “one-stop shop for export business.”
He emphasized that Nigeria’s current government policy mandates zero duty payment for exports, with exceptions only for goods being re-exported. Exporters, under government permission, pay a 2.5% levy on the current value of their goods.
The Maritime Union Chairman of the Lilypond Export Terminal unit, Augustine Umunnakwe commended the command’s efficiency but highlighted a major challenge—insufficient manpower when dealing with shipping companies. This demonstrates Nigeria’s growing prowess in international trade and exportation.
