Uche Cecil Izuora
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lilypond Export Command, has reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating non-oil exports and strengthening Nigeria’s export value chain through sustained collaboration with legitimate trade operators.
The Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Olusola Salako, gave the assurance on 6 October 2026 during a working visit to Hallink Export Processing Terminal in Lagos, where he inspected the terminal’s operations and facilities under the Command.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, Bukola Olusola-Oke, on 6 October 2026 on behalf of the Ag Customs Area Controller.
During the visit, Salako toured the terminal’s cocoa processing and export operations, including its quality-control laboratories, storage facilities and packaging processes across the export value chain.
The terminal management also showcased its quality-assurance procedures, including chemical and physical testing of cocoa beans for moisture content, bean count, fermentation and other parameters. It further demonstrated testing for heavy metals and pesticide residues to ensure that export products comply with international standards.
The Acting CAC also inspected modern quality-control equipment at the terminal, including Near Infrared (NIR) technology used to assess moisture, fat and free fatty acids. He commended the terminal’s measures to prevent contamination and infestation and maintain the quality of export products.
Salako lauded Hallink Terminal’s management for its investment in quality assurance and compliance, reiterating the Command’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with legitimate stakeholders and facilitating seamless export trade.
He emphasised that continuous engagement between the Nigeria Customs Service and operators across the export value chain remains critical to promoting non-oil exports, improving product standards and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in the international market.