BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lilypond Export Command, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s non-oil export drive through stronger collaboration with legitimate trade operators, improved product quality assurance and efficient export processes.

The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Olusola Salako, gave the assurance on October 6, 2026, during a working visit to Hallink Export Processing Terminal in Lagos, where he inspected the facility’s operations and quality-control systems.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on the same date by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, Bukola Olusola-Oke, on behalf of the Acting Customs Area Controller.

During the visit, Salako toured the terminal’s cocoa processing and export facilities, inspecting key stages of the export value chain, including quality-control laboratories, storage facilities and packaging operations.

The inspection provided an opportunity for the Command to assess the terminal’s procedures for maintaining cocoa quality, preventing contamination and ensuring that export consignments meet the requirements of international markets.

Hallink Terminal’s management showcased its quality-assurance protocols, including physical and chemical testing of cocoa beans for moisture content, bean count, fermentation levels and other essential quality parameters.

The facility also demonstrated its testing procedures for heavy metals and pesticide residues, measures designed to help ensure that cocoa exports comply with applicable international safety and quality standards.

As part of the inspection, the Acting Customs Area Controller examined modern quality-control equipment deployed at the terminal, including Near-Infrared (NIR) technology used to assess critical cocoa characteristics such as moisture, fat content and free fatty acids.

Salako commended the terminal’s efforts to safeguard product integrity through appropriate handling procedures, contamination prevention and measures to minimise infestation throughout the processing and export chain.

He also lauded the management of Hallink Terminal for its investment in quality assurance, modern testing facilities and compliance procedures, noting the importance of maintaining high standards in Nigeria’s agricultural exports.

The Customs chief reiterated the Command’s readiness to deepen engagement with legitimate exporters and other stakeholders, emphasising that effective collaboration between Customs and operators is essential to facilitating smooth, transparent and efficient export operations.

According to him, sustained cooperation across the export value chain remains critical to expanding non-oil exports, strengthening compliance with international standards and improving the competitiveness of Nigerian products in the global marketplace.

The visit underscores the importance of coordinated efforts between regulatory authorities and private-sector operators in addressing quality-related challenges, promoting export confidence and creating greater opportunities for Nigerian agricultural commodities in international markets.

With cocoa remaining an important component of Nigeria’s non-oil export portfolio, stronger quality-control systems, reliable testing procedures and efficient regulatory processes are essential to protecting the reputation of Nigerian produce and supporting sustainable export growth.

The Lilypond Export Command’s engagement with Hallink Terminal forms part of broader efforts to encourage compliant trade practices, strengthen stakeholder relations and support the development of a more competitive and quality-driven non-oil export sector.