By FEMI ANAMELECHI
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lilypond Export Command, has recorded a 22.14 per cent increase in export value in the third quarter of 2026, with total exports rising to $752.85 million from $586.15 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2025. This was disclosed by the Acting Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Olusola Oluyemi Salako Wednesday 28th October, 2026 during his maiden press briefing on the Command’s export performance. The Acting Controller of the Command pointed onut that , “the Command recorded a total export value of $752,852,452.47 between July and September 2026, representing an increase of $166,700,369.26 compared with the $586,152,083.21 recorded in the same period of 2025.”The Deputy Comptroller attributed the performance to developments across the export value chain and reiterated the Service’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade, promoting economic growth and supporting Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.He further said the Command remained focused on advancing the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with particular emphasis 4on strengthening non-oil exports and encouraging value qeses ProduceA breakdown of the figures showed that the Command recorded growth in export value across all three months of the quarter.In July, export value 0increased from $202.60 million in 2025 to $217.53 million in 2026, representing a growth of 6.86 per cent.August recorded the highest monthly increase, with exports rising from $176.63 million to $297.92 million, representing a 40.71 per cent increase.Similarly, export value in September grew by 12.84 per cent, from $206.92 million in 2025 to $237.41 million in 2026.The figures indicate that August accounted for the strongest monthly performance during the period under review.
Manufactured Goods Drive Export Growth
An analysis of the major export categories showed a significant increase in manufactured goods, which emerged as the leading contributor to the Command’s export value in the third quarter of 2026.According to the Acting Controller, “exports of manufactured goods rose from $169.90 million in the third quarter of 2025 to $402.52 million in the corresponding period of 2026.”The development highlights the growing contribution of processed and value-added products to Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings.Salako explained that the decline in agricultural exports should be considered in the context of the Federal Government’s increasing emphasis on processing raw agricultural produce before export.He said, “The Command has continued to sensitise exporters on the need to move beyond the export of raw commodities towards processing and value-added production.”According to him, the shift is contributing to the growth recorded in manufactured exports and supporting greater foreign exchange repatriation into the Nigerian economy.Agricultural exports, however, declined from $346.11 million in the third quarter of 2025 to $310.98 million in the same period of 2026.Exports of solid minerals also fell sharply, dropping from $62.27 million to $6.49 million during the period under review.Salako said the Command would continue engaging stakeholders in the solid minerals sector to understand their operational challenges and support legitimate export activities.Meanwhile, other exports recorded substantial growth, increasing from $7.87 million in the third quarter of 2025 to $32.86 million in the corresponding period of 2026. The Command also recorded an increase in export container throughput during the quarter. Salako disclosed that “the number of export containers processed rose from 10,987 in the third quarter of 2025 to 16,345 in the same period of 2026, representing an increase of 5,358 containers.”He said the growth reflected the level of operational activity supporting export trade through the Command.
The Acting Controller also reported increases in export-related collections, noting that the 2.5 per cent re-export surcharge rose by ₦90.02 million, while National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) charges increased by ₦517.92 million during the period under review. He emphasised that efficient processing, accurate documentation and compliance with Customs procedures remained essential to supporting legitimate trade and improving export performance.Customs Reaffirms Commitment to Trade Facilitation. Salako commended compliant exporters, licensed Customs agents, export processing terminals, relevant government agencies and other stakeholders for their cooperation and commitment to the export process.He said, “The Command will continue to promote legitimate trade through effective trade facilitation, timely dissemination of information and consistent enforcement of applicable Customs laws and government policies.”The Acting Controller added that since assuming office on August 24, 2026, he had engaged extensively with stakeholders across the export value chain to address operational concerns, strengthen collaboration and improve export processes.He said the engagements also provided opportunities to sensitise stakeholders on preferential trade agreements, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), export prohibition lists, regulatory requirements and other government policies affecting their activities.According to him, “The Command will sustain stakeholder engagement as a means of improving compliance, resolving operational challenges and enhancing trade facilitation.”B’Odogwu to Support Operational Efficient. Looking ahead, Salako said the Command would intensify efforts to sustain export growth through faster cargo processing, advocacy, stakeholder collaboration and the effective utilisation of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu. He described the system as “an important tool for supporting Customs operations and facilitating trade.”The Acting Controller expressed optimism that continued improvements in operational efficiency, combined with stronger stakeholder collaboration and increased value addition, would help sustain the Command’s export performance.He added that the growth in manufactured goods demonstrated the potential for greater diversification of Nigeria’s economy and expansion of the country’s non-oil export sector.
