The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has confirmed an upward increament of N7.1 billion at the Lilypond export command in the first quarter of 2025 through the Nigeria export supervision scheme (NESS).

Ajibola Odusanya, the customs area controller, Lilypond export command, said this at a news conference in Lagos on Thursday, according to NAN.

He said the NESS payments surged in Q1 of 2025 compared to the N7 billion recorded in the same period in 2024

The NCS official said the command recorded large volumes of exports, including agricultural produce, manufactured goods, and solid and extractive minerals.

Odusanya said the command processed 11,459 containers in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 5,568 containers compared to the 5,891 recorded in Q1  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,” he said.

“$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 under his leadership, the command has witnessed steady progress, attracting more exporters and supporting the federal government’s plan to diversify the economy.

The area controller said the February 14 launch of the authorised economic operator (AEO) scheme gave the command an opportunity to honour Nigerian exporters using Lagos ports, reflecting the sector’s growth.

He said the handling of exports has become more efficient under the leadership of Bashir Adeniyi, comptroller-general of the NCS, due to the consolidation of export activities at the Lilypond command.

This, Odusanya said, has contributed significantly to the progress of LEXC operations, following the implementation of the comptroller general’s directives.

He thanked stakeholders and sister agencies for their role in boosting exports, pledging to continue to support smooth trade processes.