NCS LEXC, Exports Value Grew By 38.68% in the First Quarter of 2026.

By Stella Okocha 

The Nigeria Customs Service, Lilypond Export Command (Lexc), Ijora, Lagos; has continued to implement measures aimed at enhancing export trade facilitation within its area of Responsibility.

Speaking to journalists at a press briefing on the 23rdApril 2026, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller S.o. Ariyibi, stated that he is pleased to welcome members of the press to this press briefing.

Compt. Ariyibi disclosed that In line with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, he has undertaken strategic consultations and engagements with relevant stakeholders.

According to the CAC, “Let me reiterate that export remains critical to Nigeria’s economy. It promotes foreign exchange earnings, drives economic diversification, and contributes significantly to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. While crude oil remains dominant, non-oil exports comprising agricultural produce, solid minerals, and manufactured goods are vital for mitigating external shocks, creating employment, and stabilising the national currency, the Naira”.

He added that under his leadership, and in strict compliance with the directives of the CGC , the LEXC 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.

Speaking on the reason of briefing, the said the meeting focuses on the first quarter of 2026, with a comparative analysis against the corresponding period in 2025, to assess the level of progress made.

“I am pleased to report that the Lilypond Export Command processed exports valued at $925,844,469.84 (Nine Hundred and Twenty-Five Million, Eight Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty-Nine US Dollar, Eighty-Four Cents) in Q1 2026. This represents a growth of 38.68% over the $667,597,082.65 (Six Hundred and Sixty-Seven Million, Five Hundred and Ninety-Seven Thousand, Eighty-Two USD, Sixty-Five Cents) recorded in Q1 2025”.

Ariyibi explained further on the monthly preference of how the Export growth increased.

“In January 2026, exports declined by 1.12%, amounting to $267.66 million (Two Hundred and Sixty-Seven Million, Six Hundred and Sixty Thousand USD) compared to $270.70 million (Two Hundred and Seventy Million, Seven Hundred Thousand USD) in January 2025”.

“February 2026 recorded an increase of 12.43%, rising from $225.13 million (Two Hundred and Twenty-Five Million, One Hundred and Thirty Thousand USD) to $253.12 million (Two Hundred and Fifty-Three Million, One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Dollars)”.

“March 2026 witnessed a significant increase of 135.83%, with export value rising to $425.48 million (Four Hundred and Twenty-Five Million, Four Hundred and Eighty Thousand USD) from $171.76 million (One Hundred and Seventy-One Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty Thousand USD) in March 2025”.

He added that the Container throughput equally recorded remarkable growth. “The Command processed 19,014 export containers in Q1 2026, representing an increase of 9,292 containers or 95.58% over the 9,722 containers handled in the corresponding period of 2025”.

In the area of Agricultural Produce and Manufactured Goods, Ariyibi boasted that the Command recorded a huge increment in those areas except in the Solid and Extractive Minerals Export.

“Agricultural exports increased from $523.26 million (Five Hundred and Twenty-Three Million, Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand USD) in Q1 2025 to $608.46 million (Six Hundred and Eight Million, Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand USD) in Q1 2026, indicating a growth of $85.20 million (Eighty-Five Million, Two Hundred Thousand USD). This reflects a steady and encouraging growth trajectory.

” Manufactured Goods Export value rose significantly from $93.48 million (Ninety-Three Million, Four Hundred and Eighty Thousand USD) in Q1 2025 to $297.36 million (Two Hundred and Ninety-Seven Million, Three Hundred and Sixty Thousand USD) in Q1 2026, representing an increase of $203.88 million (Two Hundred and Three Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty Thousand USD). This underscores the sector’s emergence as a key driver of economic diversification”.

“Solid and Extractive Minerals Export value declined from $42.17 million (Forty-Two Million, One Hundred and Seventy Thousand USD) in Q1 2025 to $5.23 million (Five Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand USD) in Q1 2026, representing a decrease of $36.93 million (Thirty-Six Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty Thousand USD). This reflects a strategic shift towards local processing and value addition in line with government policy”.

He noted that the Export surcharge collections (2.5%) increased to ₦199.36 million (One Hundred and Ninety-Nine Million, Three Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira) in Q1 2026, compared to ₦163.66 million (One Hundred and Sixty-Three Million, Six Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira) in Q1 2025, representing a 21.81% increase.

He also highlighted that Proceeds under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) increased during the period, as NESS collections rose by N1.01 billion, or 20.15 per cent, from N5.01 billion in Q1 2025 to N6.03 billion in Q1 2026.

Compt Ariyibi urge all exporters operating within this Command to remain compliant with extant export regulations, avoid all forms of infractions, and keep abreast of guidelines issued by the Federal Government.

He added that the Command remains committed to continuous stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and provision of necessary support to facilitate legitimate export trade, as part of efforts to strengthen the national economy through a favourable balance of trade.