By Femi Anamelechi
Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, has gone into a strategic collaboration with the Association of West African Exporters and Maritime Professionals (AWAEMAP) The strategic partnership is aimed at resolving operational challenges affecting export activities at ports and Export Processing Terminals (EPTs).This was discussed on press release issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, Olusola Oke, on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, the press release started that the strategic collaboration was part of discussions during a courtesy visit by the association to the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Samuel Ariyibi. AWAEMAP delegation was led by the Chairman, Nofiu Inaolaji, alongside the General Secretary, Abdulateef Adekoya, and other members.The delegation highlighted some of the challenges and bureaucratic bottlenecks Exporters experience during export operations and asked for Nigeria Customs’ intervention to improve efficiency and professionalism at the export corridors.
They also pointed out that the association was concerned about operational difficulties at Export Processing Terminals and ports and called for urgent need to address the challenges , enhance trade facilitation and support non-oil exports. They further requested for a capacity-building workshop to deepen stakeholders’ understanding of export procedures and regulatory requirements. Customs Area Controller, Samuel Ariyibi in his response, commended the steady rise in the volume and value of non-oil exports processed through the Command and assured of NSC unalloyed commitment to and enhanced and seamless trade facilitation. He also pointed out the ongoing efforts to engage the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, alongside key stakeholders, to find lasting solutions to recurring export challenges. Ariyibi assured the delegation of plans to convene a broader stakeholders’ engagement to address recurring concerns within the export sector. The Comptroller approved the association’s request for a workshop and directed the Command’s Public Relations Unit to liaise with relevant stakeholders to organise the programme.
