Stakeholders in the maritime sector have attributed the recent surge in exports recorded by the Nigerian Customs Service in the first quarter of 2025 to global demand for Nigerian products.

These stakeholders, who spoke with The PUNCH, added that in 2024, the government ensures the sensitization of exporters, stressing that the move also boosted exports with the Economic Community of West African States region, especially the exportation of products like soya beans and other agricultural produce.

Last week, the Lilypond Export Command of the NCS said it recorded a remarkable 318 per cent increase in export value in the first quarter of 2025, which underscored significant progress in trade facilitation and non-oil export growth.

Addressing journalists, the Customs Area Controller of the command, Ajibola Odusanya, revealed that the command facilitated the export of goods valued at $986m between January and March 2025, compared to $236m during the same period in 2024.

“The 11,459 containers processed within the first quarter of 2025 show an increase of 5,568 containers when compared to the 5,891 handled in Q1 2024. Agricultural produce accounted for the highest share, with a total value of $596m. This was followed by manufactured goods at $329m and solid minerals at $50m. Other categories made up $9.4m,” Odusanya said.

He further disclosed that the command generated N7.1bn under the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme during the quarter.

Reacting to this, a seasoned exporter, Lawal Wasiu, attributed the success to the sensitization programmes carried out by the government through the Nigerian Export Promotion Council in 2024.

“2024 was a year that gave a lot of awareness to the exporting business in Nigeria in terms of proper sensitisation of exporters. Last year, NEPC held quarterly seminars teaching exporters how to trade in the Import & Export Windows.

“And again, ECOWAS signed an agreement last year that the export of material within the West African countries must be strengthened, and I must say that a lot of companies are exporting their goods to countries like Ghana, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast, among others. Nigeria produces a larger quantity of these export goods. So the export trade facilitation between the ECOWAS region has straightened a bit,” he said.

Also speaking, a stakeholder at the Ports & Terminal Multiservice Limited, Mr Abayomi Duyile, said that there is a global demand for Nigerian goods now more than before.

“I think Nigerian goods are maybe needed in the world now, compared to before. I think now our goods are needed in the world compared to before. Because, if you notice, now most of our agricultural products are exported, it is in serious demand all over the world, especially in China and Europe,” he said.

He stated that the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control has stepped in to ensure that Nigerian exports are properly packaged so that they will be globally accepted.

Duyile stressed that the current management of the NCS, led by the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, contributed significantly to the success recorded with exports.

“The NCS today contributed a lot because the CGC encouraged exports to stabilise Nigeria’s economy. And the service has a dedicated port in Lilypond for exports.

“So all those bottlenecks have been sorted out. They have to increase the volume because before now, it took about two months, on average, for exports to leave. But now, the service made sure he streamlined the processes. So they have to dedicate Lilypond Terminal for exports,” Duyile concluded.