Exporters get new customs chief as Lilypond command changes leadership
Nigeria Customs has named Deputy Comptroller Olusola Salako as acting controller of its Lagos export command, following the retirement of Samuel Ariyibi.
New leadership at Nigeria's export-focused customs command
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lilypond Export Command, has named Deputy Comptroller Olusola Salako as its Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC), according to Nairametrics. The appointment was disclosed by the command's Public Relations Officer, Mrs Olushola Oke, in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Salako assumed duty following the retirement of Comptroller Samuel Ariyibi, the former CAC of Lilypond Export Command. A formal handover ceremony was held at the command, where Ariyibi transferred the affairs of the command to Salako in line with NCS administrative procedures.
The Lilypond Export Command operates in Lagos, near the Apapa port corridor, and is central to Nigeria's and West Africa's maritime trade. It was created as part of the NCS' push to facilitate non-oil exports and leverage African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opportunities.
Why the Lilypond command matters
Lilypond Export Command has been described by NCS leadership as a one-stop shop for export cargo, designed to streamline export procedures through capacity building, system automation, and partnerships with international trade stakeholders, as reported by Premium Times.
Salako is not new to the command. In prior coverage of AfCFTA operations, Assistant Comptroller Olusola Salako was described as the releasing officer for the Lilypond Export Command at Apapa, highlighting the command's role in technology-driven trade facilitation.
"Gone are the days when exporters have to rely solely on manual documentation and face unnecessary delays at the ports," Salako said in an earlier role, emphasizing digitalization and the shift away from paper-based processes. "Our officers are trained, dedicated, and ready to ensure smooth procedures for exports, including those under AfCFTA."
In November 2024, NCS facilitated a landmark shipment to Kenya under AfCFTA through Lilypond Export Command, with Salako playing a visible role, as covered by Ships and Ports.
Acting status signals interim leadership
The appointment is specifically an acting CAC role, suggesting an interim leadership status rather than a permanent posting, pending potential confirmation or further NCS postings.
The announcement comes as Nairametrics continues to bundle trade facilitation and customs leadership updates within wider Nigerian business coverage, including large equity investments and regional trade policy changes. The publication recently tracked Femi Otedola's stake in First Bank Holdings, underscoring the perceived macroeconomic relevance of export infrastructure changes.
There is no evidence in the retrieved material of a new regulatory circular or directive being issued alongside Salako's appointment. The story is about a personnel and leadership change, not a new customs regulation.
