Nigeria’s export sector recorded a win in 2024, with goods processed through the Lilypond Export Command reaching an estimated $1.9 billion.

However, while the newly consolidated export terminal has streamlined trade facilitation, persistent logistical challenges continue to stymie efficiency. Lilypond Command, which became the sole handler of export processes for southwest ports in July 2024, has driven a surge in outbound trade, with exports worth $225.1 million facilitated in February 2025 alone.

The command’s success has been credited to seamless inter-agency coordination, with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) working alongside the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and quarantine services to expedite clearance.

Export-bound containers often remain stranded at Lilypond for extended periods, not because of Customs delays, but due to congestion caused by imported goods, especially fast-track shipments that take priority.

He urged exporters to leverage the centralized system at Lilypond, highlighting that its design eliminates unnecessary bottlenecks. Despite the hurdles, Lilypond’s role in bolstering Nigeria’s export performance remains evident. However, for the command’s success to be sustained, industry stakeholders stress the need for urgent reforms in port logistics and truck movement regulations.

Source: BUSINESSDAY