Lilypond export command records $753m exports in Q3
Lagos, Oct. 2026 (TBL Africa) The Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it recorded 752.8 million dollars worth of exports in the third quarter of 2026.
The Acting Controller, Deputy Comptroller Olusola Salako, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
Salako said that he assumed office on Aug. 24, adding that the command recorded an increase of 166.7 million dollars over the 586.1 million dollars recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
He said that the increase represented a growth of 28.44 per cent.
According to him, monthly figures showed growth across the three months, with July recording 217.5 million dollars, against 202.6 million dollars in 2025.
He said that the command recorded 297.9 million dollars in August, against 176.6 million dollars in 2025, representing an increase of 68.69 per cent, while September recorded 237.4 million dollars.
Salako said that agricultural exports declined from 346.1 million dollars in 2025 to 310.9 million dollars in 2026 but remained a significant contributor to the export portfolio.
He said that the decline should be viewed against the Federal Government’s emphasis on value addition, as exporters increasingly processed raw commodities into manufactured goods.
He said that manufactured goods recorded remarkable growth, rising from 169.9 million dollars in 2025 to 402.5 million dollars in 2026, thereby boosting non-oil export earnings.
The acting controller said that solid mineral exports declined from 62.2 million dollars to 6.4 million dollars, while other exports rose from 7.8 million dollars to 32.8 million dollars.
He said that export container throughput increased from 10,987 containers in 2025 to 16,345 containers in 2026, representing an increase of 5,358 containers.
Salako said that the 2.5 per cent re-export surcharge increased by N90 million, while National Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) charges rose by N517.9 million during the period under review.
He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for his leadership and commitment to trade facilitation, non-oil export growth and the modernisation of Customs operations.
He also commended compliant exporters, licensed agents, export processing terminals and relevant agencies for their cooperation.
Salako said that the command would sustain stakeholder engagement on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), export prohibition lists and regulatory requirements to improve compliance and facilitate trade.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade, strengthening compliance, enhancing revenue collection and contributing to the growth of the non-oil economy.
