Export goes live on B’Odogwu at Lilypond Export Command

Nigerian exporters can now process their documents on the B’Odogwu platform as the Lilypond Export Command, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), launched the platform with a view to streamline documentation and enhance efficiency across the export value chain.

The unveiling was during a recent quarterly stakeholders’ meeting held in the Command’s head office at Ijora, Lagos State.

The Acting Deputy Comptroller in charge of Revenue, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Rauf Kassim, gave a comprehensive presentation on the platform’s features and benefits.

He encouraged exporters, agents, and terminal operators to adopt the platform for faster, more transparent, and efficient documentation.

Stakeholders commended the Lilypond Export Command for simplifying and accelerating export processes in Nigeria but raised series of concerns about persistent challenges at the terminals and with shipping lines.

They listed procedural delays at the ports – Tin Can and Apapa, including prolonged container transfer times and limited vessel calls.

Speaking, the Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, underscored the importance of synergy in achieving Nigeria’s trade facilitation goals. “We are committed to strengthening our partnership with all actors in the export chain,” he said.

Odusanya told the stakeholders that the issues surrounding Nigeria Export Proceeds (NXP) documentation that once hindered the smooth movement of export cargo had been addressed.

According to him, “Our renewed engagement with stakeholders has yielded improvements in process efficiency and built mutual trust.”

Reiterating the Command’s commitment to fostering a trade-friendly environment, he said “we will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders, including government agencies, terminal operators, and financial institutions, to remove bottlenecks and drive export growth.”