Lilypond Customs Command Hits $792m Export Revenue, Processes 5,510 Containers in Q2 2026
Compt Samuel Ariyibi
—As Solid Mineral Export Declined from $91.1million to $7.1million
By DAPO OLAWUNI
The Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a 24.35 percent increase in export value for the second quarter of 2026, generating a total of $792,567,765.31 between April and June. This represents a significant jump from the $599,600,702.47 recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, marking an increase of over $192.9 million.
Addressing newsmen on Wednesday, the Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Samuel Ariyibi, attributed the steady growth to continuous trade facilitation, enhanced compliance with export procedures, and national efforts toward economic diversification.
“The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade, promoting non-oil exports, enhancing compliance with extant export procedures, and contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda through efficient export processing,” Ariyibi stated
A breakdown of monthly performance showed consistent gains throughout the quarter.
In April, the command recorded $274,834,061.46 in export value, upwards by 13.55 percent compared to April 2025, while May saw a 34.40 percent growth to reach $275,904,639.20.
June maintained the upward trajectory, generating $241,829,064.65 in exports, reflecting a 25.15 percent rise year-on-year. Along with value gains, container throughput expanded by 32.27 percent, with the command processing 5,510 export containers compared to 3,732 handled in Q2 2025.
Commodity classifications highlighted strong expansions in both agriculture and manufacturing. Agricultural export values rose from $369,846,500.89 in Q2 2025 to $422,088,175.21 in Q2 2026, signaling sustained strength in agricultural trade. Manufactured goods experienced a massive surge, climbing from $120,300,319.74 to $350,674,248.47.
Ariyibi noted that this $230.3 million increase underscores the growing contribution of value-added exports to the national economy.
Conversely, solid mineral exports saw a steep drop from $91,158,026.35 to $7,179,437.21.
Ariyibi explained that this $83.9 million reduction was intentional, clarifying that “the reduction aligns with government policy aimed at encouraging local value addition and domestic processing of mineral resources before export.”
On statutory revenue collections, fees processed under the Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) rose by 9.52 percent, growing from ₦4.86 billion to ₦5.38 billion. However, collections for the 2.5 percent Export Surcharge saw a 36.24 percent decline, dipping from ₦149.39 million in Q2 2025 to ₦95.26 million in Q2 2026.
Ariyibi stated that the command’s second-quarter performance reflects its unwavering dedication to streamlining operations, supporting non-oil exporters, and driving trade efficiency across Nigerian ports.
The customs boss stated that the era of Nigerian exports being rejected abroad is over, adding that cargoes no longer waste time on unnecessary examinations. According to him, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has positively effected operations of the command.
