By ebosele@hotmail.com
The Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recorded a 22.14 per cent increase in export value to $752.85 million in the third quarter of 2026, up from $586.15 million in the corresponding period of 2025.
City Business News reports that the
increase represents an additional $166.70 million in export earnings during the period under review.
The Acting Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Olusola Salako, disclosed this on Wednesday during his maiden press briefing at the command in Lagos, where he presented the export performance for July to September 2026.
Salako said the performance reflected the command’s contribution to the Federal Government’s efforts to promote non-oil exports, diversify the economy and boost foreign exchange earnings.
Giving a breakdown of the monthly performance, he said export value rose by 6.86 per cent in July, from $202.60 million in 2025 to $217.53 million in 2026.
In August, export value increased by 40.71 per cent, from $176.63 million to $297.92 million, while September recorded a 12.84 per cent increase, from $206.92 million to $237.41 million.
On sectoral performance, Salako said manufactured goods recorded substantial growth, with export value rising from $169.90 million in the third quarter of 2025 to $402.52 million in the corresponding period of 2026.
He attributed the growth partly to the increasing emphasis on value addition to agricultural produce before export, noting that more exporters were processing raw commodities into manufactured and other value-added products.
However, agricultural exports declined from $346.11 million in the third quarter of 2025 to $310.98 million in the same period of 2026.
The solid minerals sector also recorded a significant decline, with export value falling from $62.27 million to $6.49 million.
Salako said the command would continue to engage stakeholders in the solid minerals sector to identify operational challenges and support legitimate export activities.
Meanwhile, exports classified under other categories increased from $7.87 million in the third quarter of 2025 to $32.86 million in the corresponding period of 2026.
The Acting Controller also disclosed that export container throughput rose from 10,987 containers in the third quarter of 2025 to 16,345 in the same period of 2026, representing an increase of 5,358 containers.
He added that revenue from the 2.5 per cent re-export surcharge increased by N90.02 million, while National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) charges rose by N517.92 million during the period.
According to him, efficient cargo processing, accurate documentation and compliance with Customs procedures remain critical to sustaining export growth.
Salako commended compliant exporters, licensed Customs agents, export processing terminals and relevant government agencies for their cooperation in facilitating export operations.
He said 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.
“Since assuming office on 24 August 2026, I have engaged extensively with stakeholders across the export value chain to address operational concerns, strengthen collaboration and promote seamless export processes.
“These engagements have also provided opportunities to sensitise stakeholders on preferential trade agreements such as AfCFTA, export prohibition lists, regulatory requirements and other government policies affecting their respective areas of trade.
“The Command will sustain these engagements as an important platform for improving compliance, addressing operational challenges and enhancing trade facilitation,” he said.
Salako added that the command would intensify efforts to sustain the growth recorded through faster cargo processing and stronger stakeholder collaboration.
