Export Volume Surges at Lilypond Command with 95.58% Container Growth


Victoria Silvanus

The Controller of Nigeria Customs, Lilypond Export Command (LEXC), Comptroller S.O. Ariyibi, has announced a strong performance for the Command in the first quarter of 2026, with export activities showing significant growth compared to the same period in 2025. 

The announcement was made during a press briefing held on April 23, 2026, at the Command in Ijora, Lagos.

Addressing members of the press, the Controller emphasized the importance of exports to Nigeria’s economy, noting that export trade remains a critical driver of foreign exchange earnings, economic diversification, and GDP growth. He stressed that while crude oil continues to dominate, non-oil exports—particularly agricultural produce, solid minerals, and manufactured goods—play a vital role in stabilizing the naira, creating jobs, and cushioning the economy against external shocks.

Comptroller Ariyibi disclosed that under his leadership, the Command has intensified stakeholder engagements and aligned operations with the policy direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs. He also revealed that preparations are ongoing for the deployment of the National Single Window platform, with officers being trained to ensure seamless implementation of a unified export documentation system.


According to the Controller, the Lilypond Export Command processed exports valued at $925.84 million in Q1 2026, representing a 38.68 percent increase over the $667.60 million recorded in Q1 2025.

A breakdown of the monthly performance showed mixed trends within the quarter. January 2026 recorded a slight decline of 1.12 percent, with exports valued at $267.66 million compared to $270.70 million in January 2025. February, however, saw improvement, with exports rising by 12.43 percent from $225.13 million to $253.12 million. The most significant growth occurred in March 2026, when exports surged by 135.83 percent, reaching $425.48 million compared to $171.76 million in March 2025.


The Command also recorded remarkable growth in container throughput. A total of 19,014 export containers were processed in Q1 2026, representing an increase of 9,292 containers, or 95.58 percent, over the 9,722 containers handled during the same period in 2025.


Agricultural exports maintained a steady growth trajectory, increasing from $523.26 million in Q1 2025 to $608.46 million in Q1 2026, reflecting an increase of $85.20 million. The Controller described this as an encouraging sign of continued strength in Nigeria’s agricultural export segment.

Manufactured goods recorded the most significant improvement, rising from $93.48 million in Q1 2025 to $297.36 million in Q1 2026. The $203.88 million increase highlights the growing contribution of manufactured exports to economic diversification and industrial development.

In contrast, solid and extractive minerals experienced a decline, with export value dropping from $42.17 million in Q1 2025 to $5.23 million in Q1 2026. The Controller attributed this reduction to a strategic shift toward local processing and value addition in line with government policy.
Revenue Collections Rise
Export surcharge collections also increased during the period. The Command generated ₦199.36 million from the 2.5 percent export surcharge in Q1 2026, compared to ₦163.66 million in Q1 2025, representing a 21.81 percent increase.
Similarly, proceeds under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) recorded growth. Collections rose by ₦1.01 billion, or 20.15 percent, from ₦5.01 billion in Q1 2025 to ₦6.03 billion in Q1 2026.

In his concluding remarks, Comptroller Ariyibi urged exporters operating within the Command to remain compliant with existing export regulations and avoid infractions. He emphasized the importance of staying updated with guidelines issued by the Federal Government.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to continuous stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and operational support to facilitate legitimate export trade. According to him, these efforts are aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s economy and promoting a favorable balance of trade.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Guardians of the Waterways: Zonal Coordinator Applauds Western Marine Command’s Fight Against Smuggling

Image
 The Zonal Coordinator of Nigeria Customs Service Zone A, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Charles Orbih, recently paid a working visit to the Western Marine Command, commending the officers for their remarkable performance in anti-smuggling operations and maritime border security. The visit, filled with praise and reflection, underscored the critical role of the Command in safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests, especially as the nation ramps up efforts to curb illegal trade and protect its maritime borders. “Your work here is not just important, it is critical to our national survival,” ACG Orbih declared, addressing officers who have made notable seizures of contraband items worth over ₦352 million in Duty Paid Value in recent weeks. These efforts, he emphasized, are about more than statistics, they represent tangible acts of service in defense of Nigeria’s economy and public well-being. “The seizures you made go beyond mere numbers,” Orbih stated. “They tell t...
Read more

Nigeria Customs Service Cracks Down on Smuggling: ₦1.28 Billion Worth of Contraband Seized in Two Weeks

Image
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) In a bold and highly successful offensive fight against smuggling has announced the seizure of contraband goods valued at ₦1.28 billion within just two weeks. The operation, led by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, reflects the agency’s intensified drive to protect the Nigerian economy and promote trade. Between May 19 and May 31, 2025, the FOU Zone A conducted 46 targeted interceptions across Lagos and border states, uncovering a wide array of illegally imported goods. Some of the most significant recoveries include Cannabis sativa concealed in a truck compartments Towels 7 Mitsubishi Canters, 5 Toyota Hiace buses, 3 Mini Shuttle buses (all dismantled for concealment), and 11 used vehicles (commonly known as Tokunbo 1,665kg of Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp) hidden in concealed truck compartments 2,051 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to four trailer-loads) 4,000 litres o...
Read more

NEARLY TWO DECADES OF CONCESSION, APMT REMAINS UNDER FIRE FOR POOR SERVICE DELIVERY

Image
 As Nigeria nears the 20th anniversary of its port concession policy, widespread dissatisfaction is mounting among stakeholders in the maritime sector, with particular criticism aimed at APM Terminals (APMT), a key player in port operations. In 2006, under the administration of then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s seaports were concessioned in a bid to enhance efficiency, attract private investment, and modernize the sector.  However, almost two decades after, the promises of improved service delivery and infrastructural upgrades remain largely unmet especially at APMT, one of the largest terminal operators in the country.  sticker at a Terminal in Tin Can Inland Port Industry operators and freight forwarders are now calling not just for a review but for an outright cancellation of some of these concession agreements, citing persistent inefficiencies, poor customer service, and infrastructural decay. In an exclusive interview, Mr. Chukwuemek...
Read more