Customs: Lilypond Command Sees 9.56% Export Boost in Q4 2025, Hits $858.11m
- As Agricultural Produce Leads with $568.27m.
ZAINAB JUNAID
The Nigeria Customs Service, Lilypond Export Command (LEXC) has recorded a significant growth of $74.89 million (9.56 per cent) in export value in the last quarter of 2025, reflecting strong compliance and reduced trade infractions.
The Command also handled 13,756 containers between October and December last year, showing an increase of 24.26%(2686 containers) over the 11,070 containers recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Addressing journalists at his maiden press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, 26 February 2026, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller SO Ariyibi made this known, revealing that the command processed a total export value of $858,109,319.57 between October and December 2025, which represents a 9.56 per cent increase when compared to $783,221,101.38 recorded in the last quarter of 2024.
He highlighted fluctuations in the export performance, with October 2025 up at $230.99 million from $212.73 million in 2024, November down to $201.63 million from $330.12 million in 2024, and December rebounding to $425.48m from $240.38 million in 2024.
In a breakdown, the Area Controller informed that Agricultural Produce remained the dominant export category, with exports valued at $568.27 million in Q4 2025, compared to $542.92 million in Q4 2024.
According to the Controller, Manufactured Goods recorded the highest growth, rising to $240.46 million from $134.65 million in Q4 2024 while Solid and Extractive Minerals declined to $35.59 million from $87.50 million in the corresponding quarter of 2024.
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Comptroller Ariyibi attributed the drop in extractive minerals to reduced output, market volatility, and operational challenges within the mining sector.
He said export surcharge collections (2.5%) increased to N208.54 million Naira in the last quarter of 2025, up from N91.95 million for the same period under review in 2024.
Comptroller Ariyibi also informed that the command has consolidated existing achievements while strengthening measures to enhance legitimate export trade within its jurisdiction.
“I initiated strategic engagements with critical stakeholders in line with the policy thrust and reform agenda of the Comptroller- General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR with emphasis on value, volume and seamless processes,” he stated.
While urging Stakeholders to remain compliant to export guidelines, he reassured them of the command’s continued support in capacity building and commitment to facilitating legitimate export trade in line with national economic objectives.
The Comptroller also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR for his outstanding leadership, support, and policy direction which has continued to drive improved performance across Commands nationwide.
While fielding questions from journalists at the event, he spoke on the command’s approach to management crisis, crediting the success recorded to teamwork, and telling newsmen that the officers and men of the command embodied the “Always Ready” spirit every time.
The Area Controller said the Command takes proactive steps in tackling potential crisis by adopting the preparatory, response, recovery and mitigation methods.