Lilypond Customs Records 38% Export Growth, Processes $925.8m in Q1 2026
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lilypond Export Command, has reported a 38.68 per cent increase in export value for the first quarter of 2026, processing goods worth $925.84 million.
Customs Area Controller of the command, Samuel Ariyibi, disclosed this on April 23 while briefing journalists, attributing the performance to ongoing reforms and strengthened engagement with stakeholders in the export sector.
According to him, the figure represents a significant rise from the $667.59 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, underscoring the growing contribution of non-oil exports to Nigeria’s economic stability.
Ariyibi emphasised the strategic importance of exports to the national economy, noting that increased export activities support foreign exchange earnings, economic diversification, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. He added that sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and solid minerals play a critical role in cushioning external shocks and stabilising the naira.
A breakdown of the data shows that export performance peaked in March 2026, with shipments valued at $425.48 million—an increase of 135.83 per cent compared to $171.76 million recorded in March 2025.
The command also recorded substantial growth in container throughput, processing 19,014 export containers during the quarter, representing a 95.58 per cent increase from 9,722 containers handled in the same period last year.
Sectoral analysis indicates that agricultural exports rose by $85.20 million, from $523.26 million in 2025 to $608.46 million in 2026. Manufactured goods recorded the most pronounced growth, increasing from $93.48 million to $297.36 million, reflecting a shift towards value-added exports.
In revenue terms, export surcharge collections rose by 21.81 per cent to ₦199.36 million, up from ₦163.66 million in Q1 2025. Similarly, collections under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) increased by 20.15 per cent to ₦6.03 billion.
The Customs Area Controller urged exporters to adhere strictly to regulatory requirements, warning that non-compliance could undermine trade integrity.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade through sustained stakeholder engagement and capacity building, as part of broader efforts to enhance Nigeria’s export competitiveness and achieve a favourable balance of trade.
By TimesNG