The Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a significant increase in export activities, processing goods valued at $925 million in the first quarter of 2026, representing a 38.68 per cent growth compared to the $667 million recorded during the same period in 2025.
The Controller of the Command, Comptroller Samuel Ariyibi, disclosed this during a press briefing held on April 23, 2026, at the Command in Ijora, Lagos.
Ariyibi described the performance as a strong indicator of expanding export activities, particularly within the non-oil sector, which remains critical to Nigeria’s economic diversification, foreign exchange earnings, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.
Providing a breakdown of the figures, he explained that exports processed by the Command in Q1 2026 were valued at $925,844,469.84, a marked rise from $667,597,082.65 recorded in Q1 2025, underscoring growing confidence in Nigeria’s export sector.
Monthly performance within the quarter showed mixed trends. Export value in January 2026 recorded a marginal decline of 1.12 per cent, dropping to $267.66 million from $270.70 million in January 2025. However, February 2026 saw an improvement of 12.43 per cent, rising from $225.13 million to $253.12 million.
The most notable growth occurred in March 2026, which witnessed a sharp increase of 135.83 per cent, with exports rising to $425.48 million, compared to $171.76 million recorded in March 2025. Container throughput also recorded remarkable growth during the review period. The Command processed 19,014 export containers in Q1 2026, representing an increase of 9,292 containers, or 95.58 per cent, over the 9,722 containers handled in Q1 2025.
Sectoral analysis showed strong performance in agricultural and manufactured exports. Agricultural produce exports increased from $523.26 million in Q1 2025 to $608.46 million in Q1 2026, reflecting steady growth in Nigeria’s agro-export sector.
Manufactured goods recorded the most significant expansion, rising from $93.48 million in Q1 2025 to $297.36 million in Q1 2026, highlighting the sector’s growing role in driving industrial growth and economic diversification.
In contrast, exports of solid and extractive minerals declined from $42.17 million in Q1 2025 to $5.23 million in Q1 2026, a development attributed to increased emphasis on local processing and value addition in line with government policy.
Revenue collections also recorded growth within the period. Export surcharge collections rose to ₦199.36 million in Q1 2026, representing a 21.81 per cent increase compared to ₦163.66 million recorded in Q1 2025. Similarly, proceeds under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) increased by ₦1.01 billion, or 20.15 per cent, rising from ₦5.01 billion in Q1 2025 to ₦6.03 billion in Q1 2026.
Ariyibi attributed the improved performance to strategic stakeholder engagements and operational measures implemented in line with the policy direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. He also noted that the Command is advancing preparations for the deployment of the National Single Window platform, which is expected to streamline export documentation processes.
He urged exporters operating within the Command’s jurisdiction to comply fully with export regulations and remain updated on government guidelines to sustain growth in legitimate export trade.
The Lilypond Export Command, according to him, remains committed to strengthening stakeholder collaboration, improving operational efficiency, and supporting export growth as part of broader efforts to enhance Nigeria’s balance of trade and economic stability.
“Under my leadership, and in strict compliance with the directives of the CGC, the Lilypond Export Command has continued to implement measures aimed at enhancing export trade facilitation within our Area of Responsibility. The Command is actively advancing the deployment of the National Single Window platform, with Officers being adequately prepared for seamless implementation of a unified export documentation system in due course.”, he said.
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