Customs commit to non-oil export growth

T The Nigerian Customs Service has stated its commitment to the growth of non-oil exports in the country by enhancing trade facilitation.

The NCS said it would continue to support manufacturers in the non-oil export sector through reforms and initiatives at the 7th Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group held on Wednesday in Lagos.

The NCS Lilypond Export Command Comptroller, Ajibola Odusanya, stated non-oil export’s role in driving Nigeria’s economic diversification, especially through the Lilypond Export Command, newly established by the service.

Odusanya said the Lilypond Export Command had been instrumental in facilitating trade, particularly through its processing of non-oil export goods valued at over $600m.

He stated. “In today’s global economy, the growth of export trade is essential for stimulating production, investment, and job creation.

“The Nigeria Customs Service has streamlined its export procedures to reduce bureaucracy, ensuring quicker processing times for exporters. The Lilypond Command, for instance, processed over 300 containers of manufactured goods valued at over $200m in just one year.”

According to the Lilypond Export Command boss, customs have initiated some reforms, including the Time Release Study, which measures the efficiency of customs clearance processes, and the Authorised Economic Operator programme, which provides compliant manufacturers with faster export procedures.

“Certified manufacturers now enjoy fewer physical inspections and simplified customs clearance, making their exports more competitive,” he said.

The Chairman of MANEG, Odiri Erewa-Meggison, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for recent reforms but urged for additional support to alleviate the financial pressures on exporters caused by rising production costs.

“We appreciate the Federal Government’s call for the submission of Export Expansion Grant baseline data; it is a good step towards motivating exporters,” Erewa-Meggison said.

However, she noted that the removal of fuel subsidies and the increase in energy tariffs had exacerbated the challenges facing exporters.

“Our members are struggling with high production costs, naira depreciation, and forex scarcity. These constraints make it difficult to compete in the international market,” she noted.

The MANEG chairman also appealed to the Federal Government to reconsider the exclusion of 34 exporters from the Promissory Notes programme.

“Reinstating these exporters will provide much-needed relief and restore their confidence in government incentives,” she added.

The President of MAN, Francis Meshioye, represented by the association’s Director General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, reiterated the importance of non-oil exports in achieving a favourable balance of trade for Nigeria.

Meshioye noted that despite the availability of various government incentives, their implementation had been inconsistent.

“The Federal Government has introduced several export incentives, but only a few are being fully implemented.

“Additionally, counterproductive policies from other agencies often hinder the growth of the export sector,” Meshioye said.

He further called for the swift implementation of the government’s stabilisation plan to address the exchange rate challenges and rising production costs.

“Speedy and diligent execution of these policies is crucial for manufacturers to remain competitive and drive export growth,” the MAN president remarked.

A highlight of the event was the guest presentation by the former President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Prof. Segun Ajibola, who noted an urgent need to support non-oil exports through strategic incentives for manufacturers.

Ajibola recommended a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s trade and industrial policies.

He noted, “A new trade policy that supports local manufacturers and restricts the importation of items like toothpicks, biscuits, and textiles is long overdue.”

According to Ajibola, Nigeria’s over-reliance on imported goods, even for basic commodities, hampers the growth of domestic industries, making it difficult for the country to achieve a favourable balance of trade.

He recommended the removal of duties on essential raw materials, explaining, “The government must consider granting waivers on imported raw materials used by local manufacturers to boost capacity utilization and reduce production costs.”