The Customs Area Controller of the Lilypond Export Command, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, has attributed the persistent delay in export cargo movement at the command to logistics issues associated with the Nigerian Port Authority’s Eto call-up system, rather than any bottlenecks from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Eto call- up system is a structured movement of container- laden trucks into the terminals meant to decongest Port access road and facilitate quick goods clearance at the port.

It was developed by the NPA and driven by a private company.

However, Comptroller Odusanya, speaking at a Roundtable with members of Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN),emphasized that while the command has streamlined the export process,  lack of available slots for trucks to enter the ports remains a major challenge.

 He noted that despite the command’s efforts, numerous containers remain stranded at Lilypond due to the inability of trucks to secure clearance under the Eto system.

He explained that prior to the implementation of a centralized export processing system, multiple customs units across Apapa, Tin Can, PTML, and Lekki ports handled export documentation.

However, in July 2024, the government directed the full centralization of all export processes under the Lilypond Export Command.

This move, driven by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and backed by agencies such as the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), was aimed at streamlining operations and reducing multiple checkpoints.

Odusanya revealed that between January and December 2024, the command processed exports valued at approximately $1.9 billion, a figure that could have been higher if the consolidation had occurred earlier in the year.

He added that in February 2025 alone, the command facilitated exports worth $225.1 million.

He attributed these successes to inter-agency collaboration, with Customs working alongside the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and quarantine services, among others.

Despite the improved export facilitation, Odusanya acknowledged that challenges persist, particularly with the Eto call-up system, which has created logistical constraints.

 He explained that export containers often get delayed at Lilypond not due to customs processes but because of congestion at the ports, caused by import containers awaiting clearance.

He pointed out that while Apapa remains the busiest port for exports, the congestion problem is less severe at Tin Can due to the presence of an export processing terminal.

On the issue of the Nigerian Export Proceeds (NXP) form, Odusanya stated that the command has ensured compliance with all regulatory requirements.

 He, however, acknowledged exporters’ concerns about the process and assured that Customs is working to facilitate seamless trade while ensuring adherence to financial regulations.

He urged maritime stakeholders, including the media, to continue sensitizing exporters on the ease of processing export goods through Lilypond, emphasizing that the command operates transparently and does not condone extortion.

He reiterated that officers at the entry points are strictly there to verify processed cargo and not to serve as an additional checkpoint.

Odusanya concluded by reaffirming the commitment of the Lilypond Export Command to supporting Nigeria’s growing export sector, ensuring efficiency in cargo movement, and addressing any emerging challenges in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

The Court has ordered the forfeiture of a total sum of $1,154,900 (One Million, One Hundred and Fifty-Four Thousand, Nine Hundred US Dollars) and SR135,900 (One Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred Saudi Riyals) which the officers of the Nigeria customs service intercepted at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA).

The seizure was made recently during a routine baggage check on an inbound passenger, Hauwa Ibrahim Abdullahi, who arrived on Saudi Airline Flight No. SV401 from Saudi Arabia.

During the physical examination of the passenger’s luggage conducted by

NCS Officers, the undeclared currency was discovered concealed within palm-date fruit packs locally referred to as Dabino.

This interception aligns with the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to enforcing financial regulations and preventing illicit financial flows across Nigeria’s borders.

In line with established procedures, the suspect and the seized foreign

currency have been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and necessary legal action.

 Subsequently, the court convicted the defendant as charged and ordered the forfeiture of the undeclared money to the Federal Government in line with the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.

The Service reiterates that all travelers must comply with Nigeria’s financial
regulations, particularly the legal requirement to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding the approved threshold when traveling in or out of the country.

The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1995, provide clear guidelines on currency declaration.

Non-compliance with these regulations constitutes a violation of Nigerian law and attracts severe penalties.

 The Service, therefore, urges the public to adhere strictly to these requirements to avoid legal consequences.

Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale
Adeniyi, the NCS remains resolute in its enforcement efforts to combat smuggling, illicit financial transactions, and other trans-border crimes.

 This latest seizure highlights the Service’s unwavering dedication to protecting the nation’s economic interests and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.

The NCS will continue to collaborate with relevant government agencies and
stakeholders to strengthen border security, enhance compliance with financial laws, and safeguard Nigeria’s economy.

Travelers and stakeholders in the financial sector are advised to remain vigilant and always adhere to lawful financial practices.

The collapse of all the export terminals in the Lagos Ports into a consolidated export terminal at the Lilypond Port has boosted export of goods in the country as the terminal processed the sum of $1.9b in 2024.

Making this revelation on Thursday, March 13th, 2025 while interacting  with the members of the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN), the

Customs Area Controller (CAC), Lilypond Export Command, Ajibola Odusanya, declared that processing of exports at the dedicated Lilypond Port has improved significantly, reducing processing time to a few hours.

It would be recalled that the Lilypond export processing terminal came into existence in 2024 from the Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) between the Nigeria customs service and the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA).

However, Comptroller Odusanya lamented that transferring the export containers to Apapa Port has become a challenge recently, as priority is placed on exiting import containers out of the port.

He bemoaned that accessing the Export Processing Terminal (EPT) especially in Apapa Port is delayed due to traffic gridlock on the internal port access road.

However, Comptroller Odusanya assured that the the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and APM Terminals are working to improve on the port internal traffic.

“The NPA has contributed significantly to export facilitation by creating the Electronic Call-up System (ETO) and EPTs at the ports, but the internal port access roads would need more attention to clear up for seamless movement of export containers into the ports for outward shipping,” Comptroller Odusanya said.

In 2022, the Nigeria Customs Service and the NPA reached an agreement to make the Lilypond Port an export processing port as part of the country’s deliberate plans to improve exportation of non-oil products.

The Lilypond Port Controller explained that due to the presence of all the relevant agencies in the export port, processing of export goods have become very fast and seamless, leading to processing of about $2 billion worth of exports from the port between July and December 2024.

He said: “Since after the MoU between Customs and NPA to streamline export to Lilypond Command in July 2024 and the command became the only command processing sea bound export, we processed about $2 billion in that period Between and December, 2024.

“In February, 2025, we processed $225 million. This achievement is made possible by collaboration with other government agencies and port stakeholders.

“We now have the DSS, NDLEA, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the quarantine service dedicated to export at Lilypond Port.

“Now, with synergy with these sister agencies, export goods treated at Lilypond port are not stopped by any other agency on its way to Apapa or Tincan port.

“Such export will only be checked by Lilypond Customs officers at the port gate and not necessarily to open the container, except there is a security alert.”

He noted that the NPA and the terminal operators would not allow the ugly port access road situation in Apapa in the past to return.

“If you go to Lilypond now, you will see many containers there, but the problem is not with processing of the exports in Lilypond, but the logistics aspect of moving the containers to the ports.

“Sometimes, even when you have obtained your ETO, you won’t be able to access the port.

“You see the trucks lined up on the road with export containers on them.  We have to work on this so that we don’t return to what it was before.

“We have to keep working hard to maintain the sanity on the port road,” Comptroller Odusanya emphasised.