Nigeria’s export numbers had a strong first quarter — and the jump in March is the figure that stands out.
The Nigeria Customs Service Lilypond Export Command processed $925.84 million worth of exports in Q1 2026, up 38.68 per cent from the same period in 2025. The number of containers handled nearly doubled, from 9,722 to 19,014 — a 95.58 per cent increase in volume.
January was flat, actually dipping 1.12 per cent to $267.66 million. February recovered with a 12.43 per cent rise to $253.12 million. Then March came in at $425.48 million — a 135.83 per cent year-on-year surge compared to $171.76 million in March 2025. That single month accounts for nearly half the quarter’s total.
Revenue from export surcharges and NESS collections also increased — 21.81 per cent and 20.15 per cent respectively — tracking the rise in activity. The Customs Service has attributed the performance to improved port infrastructure utilisation and better cargo handling.
The government has been pushing non-oil export growth as part of its diversification agenda, targeting agriculture, manufacturing, and solid minerals. Whether one quarter’s data signals a durable shift or reflects a one-off spike — particularly with elevated commodity prices from the Middle East crisis helping oil-linked exports — is the question analysts will be watching.
Sources: Punch, Vanguard, Factual NG, Independent
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