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Daniel Adaji
Nigeria’s export earnings soared by 318 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a major boost in container traffic and commodity exports.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Lilypond Export Command disclosed that export trade value hit $986.4m in Q1 2025, compared to $236m during the same period in 2024.
Customs Area Comptroller, Ajibola Odusanya, announced the figures during a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday.
“The command recorded an increase of $750.3m in export value, showing that our reforms and stakeholder collaborations are working,” Odusanya said.
Agricultural products led the charge with exports valued at $596m, up from $542.9m in Q1 2024. Manufactured goods followed with $329.9m, marking an increase from $134.6m last year.
Exports of solid minerals, however, saw a dip—declining to $50.1m from $87.4m in 2024. Other goods contributed $87.4m, an increase from $18.1m previously.
Odusanya reported that the command processed 11,459 containers between January and March 2025, nearly doubling the 5,891 containers handled in Q1 2024. He attributed this growth to increased activity in agricultural exports, as well as stronger performance in the manufacturing and extractive sectors.
In terms of revenue, the Lilypond Command generated N7.1bn through the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) during Q1 2025.
The NESS is a statutory scheme that mandates the inspection of all exports from Nigeria to ensure compliance with quality and documentation standards. Revenue from the scheme slightly edged up from the N7bn collected in the same quarter last year.
Odusanya credited the success to the consolidation of export operations under the Lilypond Export Command, in line with directives from the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.
This consolidation, he said, has streamlined export processes and improved cargo handling at Lagos ports.
“Our structure here has created an efficient and centralized export operation. We’re seeing the results in trade volume and exporter confidence,” he said.
He also pointed to the recent launch of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) scheme on February 14. The initiative, designed to promote trusted traders and speed up clearance, recognized high-performing exporters.
“The AEO is already helping to reinforce transparency and trust in our export system,” Odusanya added.
The Comptroller expressed gratitude to trade partners, government agencies, and exporters for their contributions.
“These achievements are not by chance. They’re the outcome of strong collaboration and a shared commitment to Nigeria’s economic diversification,” he said.