Nigeria’s push to diversify its economy through non-oil exports has gained significant momentum, with the Lilypond Export Command in Lagos reporting a $1.58bn export value in the first half of 2025—a 36% increase from the same period last year.
The surge underscores growing global demand for Nigerian agricultural and manufactured goods, as well as improved trade facilitation at the export terminal.
Customs Area Controller Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya revealed the figures at a half-year review on Thursday, attributing the growth to stricter compliance, streamlined documentation, and exporter confidence.
“Our cumulative export value for H1 2025 stood at $1,586,041,100.25, up by $420.9 million from $1.16 billion in 2024,” he said.
The terminal also processed 27,721 export containers between January and June—a staggering 200% rise from the 9,438 containers handled in H1 2024.
Agricultural products remained the dominant export, generating $966.7 million compared to $288.8 million the previous year. Manufactured goods saw an even more dramatic leap, soaring from ₦170 million to ₦2.08 billion—a sign of Nigeria’s expanding industrial output.
The Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme, which collects statutory fees on exports, recorded ₦12 billion in revenue, up from ₦2.6 billion in 2024.
Technology played a pivotal role in the efficiency boost. The Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), nicknamed “B’Odogwu” (“The Great One” in Igbo), has digitised export documentation, reducing delays. “The UCMS platform enhances trade facilitation, revenue collection, and accountability,” Odusanya noted.
The command’s collaboration with agencies like the NDLEA, NAFDAC, and SON also helped maintain export standards while curbing illicit trade.
While celebrating the gains, Odusanya urged exporters to maintain compliance, warning that infractions would be met with sanctions.
He also commended Customs Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi for policies supporting non-oil export growth.
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