— as Agricultural, Solid minerals exports plunge

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ijora, Lagos, recorded export transactions valued at $752.9 million in the third quarter of 2026, representing a 22.14 per cent increase over the $586.152 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

The growth was driven largely by a sharp increase in manufactured goods exports, which more than doubled during the period, offsetting declines in agricultural produce and solid minerals exports.

The Acting Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Olusola Oluyemi Salako, attributed the overall improvement to favourable government export policies, the Customs Service’s commitment to trade facilitation and the support of the NCS management under the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.

Salako disclosed the figures while briefing the media on the Command’s third-quarter performance on October 28, 2026.

A breakdown of the monthly figures showed that export value rose from $202.604 million in July 2025 to $217.526 million in July 2026, representing a 6.86 per cent increase.

In August, exports increased from $176.628 million to $297.919 million, reflecting a reported growth of 40.71 per cent, while September exports rose from $206.919 million to $237.406 million, representing a 12.84 per cent increase.

Manufactured goods drive export growth

An analysis of the sectoral performance showed that manufactured goods emerged as the leading driver of export growth, with export value increasing from $169.902 million in the third quarter of 2025 to $402.520 million in the corresponding period of 2026.

The performance underscores the growing contribution of manufactured and value-added products to Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings.

Salako said the trend reflected the Federal Government’s drive to encourage domestic processing and value addition rather than continued dependence on the export of raw commodities.

“This performance underscores the growing contribution of manufactured and value-added products to Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings,” he said.

According to the Acting Controller, the Customs Command has continued to sensitise exporters on the need to move beyond the export of raw agricultural produce and embrace processing and value-added production.

He explained that more agricultural commodities were being processed into manufactured and value-added products for export, a development that he said was contributing to the growth in manufactured goods exports and supporting greater foreign exchange repatriation into the Nigerian economy.

Agricultural exports suffer decline

Despite the overall growth in export value, agricultural exports recorded a decline, falling from $346.107 million in the third quarter of 2025 to $310.981 million in the corresponding period of 2026.

Salako, however, maintained that agriculture remained a significant component of the Command’s export portfolio.

He attributed the decline partly to the Federal Government’s increasing emphasis on processing agricultural commodities and improving their value before export.

The policy direction, he said, was intended to encourage domestic value addition, expand manufacturing activities and improve the returns Nigeria earns from its exports.

The Command, he added, would continue to engage exporters and provide guidance on compliance with government policies aimed at strengthening the country’s non-oil export base.

Solid minerals exports plunge

Solid minerals exports recorded the steepest decline among the major export categories, falling from $62.271 million in the third quarter of 2025 to $6.487 million in the same period of 2026.

Salako attributed the sharp drop to government policies discouraging the export of unprocessed solid minerals and requiring greater processing and conversion into derivatives before export.

He also cited efforts to curb illegal mining activities, particularly those involving foreign operators, as another factor contributing to the decline.

The Acting Controller said the Command would continue engaging stakeholders in the solid minerals sector to better understand operational challenges and support legitimate export activities within the framework of existing government policies.

In contrast, exports classified under the other-products category increased from $7.870 million to $32.863 million during the period under review, reflecting improved performance.

Export container throughput rises

Beyond the increase in export value, the Command recorded significant growth in export container throughput.

The number of export containers processed rose from 10,987 in the third quarter of 2025 to 16,345 in the corresponding period of 2026, an increase of 5,358 containers.

The growth points to increased cargo movement through the facility and an expansion in the volume of export transactions handled during the quarter.

The Command also reported increases in export-related collections.

According to Salako, the 2.5 per cent re-export surcharge increased by ₦90.019 million, while the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) charges rose by ₦517.923 million during the period.

He said the increase in collections highlighted the importance of efficient cargo processing, accurate documentation and compliance with established Customs procedures in supporting legitimate trade.

Customs pledges faster processing, stronger compliance

Salako commended compliant exporters, licensed Customs agents, export processing terminals, relevant government agencies and other stakeholders for their cooperation and commitment to the export process.

He said the Command would sustain its support for legitimate trade through improved trade facilitation, timely dissemination of relevant information and consistent enforcement of applicable Customs regulations.

“The Command will continue to support legitimate trade through effective trade facilitation, timely dissemination of relevant information and consistent application of extant rules and regulations. At the same time, we will sustain our commitment to enforcing compliance with all applicable Customs laws and government policies,” he said.

Looking ahead, the Acting Controller said the Command would intensify efforts to sustain export growth through faster and more efficient cargo processing, stakeholder engagement, advocacy and the effective deployment of the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS), also known as B’Odogwu.

He said the system continued to support Customs operations and trade facilitation by improving the management of export transactions.

The Command would also leverage World Customs Organization (WCO) trade facilitation instruments, including the Time Release Study (TRS), where applicable, to identify operational bottlenecks and improve efficiency.

Salako said the third-quarter performance demonstrated the potential of manufactured and value-added products to strengthen Nigeria’s non-oil export base, even as the declines in agricultural and solid minerals exports highlighted the need to address sector-specific challenges.

“Our commitment remains to facilitate legitimate trade, strengthen compliance, enhance revenue collection and contribute meaningfully to the growth of Nigeria’s non-oil economy,” he said.

Funso OLOJO, Editor 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, has rescued five more live pangolins in Ogun State, intensifying its crackdown on the illegal wildlife trade and raising fresh concerns about the activities of endangered-species trafficking syndicates.

The latest interception, carried out at about 1:18 a.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026, along the Igbo-Ora/Imeko-Afon axis of Ogun State, followed intelligence reports on the suspected movement of endangered wildlife.

Acting on the intelligence, Customs officers intercepted the five pangolins confined in wire-mesh cages and concealed in a manner suspected to have been designed to evade detection.

The suspected traffickers reportedly abandoned the animals and fled upon sighting the patrol team.

The rescue marks another intervention by the Unit against wildlife trafficking within approximately seven days, prompting calls for an extensive investigation to identify and dismantle the criminal networks behind the illicit trade.

In line with its commitment to wildlife protection, FOU Zone ‘A’ formally handed over the rescued animals to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre for safekeeping, rehabilitation and eventual release into a protected habitat.

The handover was conducted by the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement, Oluwaseun Oguntuase, on behalf of the Acting Controller of the Unit, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Oguntuase said the interception of multiple wildlife consignments within a short period underscored the need for sustained investigations and stronger enforcement measures against those involved in the illegal capture, transportation and trafficking of endangered species.

He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to combating wildlife trafficking, protecting endangered animals and enforcing Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), alongside relevant national legislation.

“Pangolins are among the world’s most trafficked mammals. This seizure is another clear warning to those involved in the illegal wildlife trade that Nigeria’s borders and transport corridors remain under active surveillance,” Oguntuase said.

Pangolins are listed under Appendix I of CITES, which generally prohibits international commercial trade in wild-caught specimens and their derivatives, subject to the Convention’s applicable provisions.

Nigeria’s Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act also provides a legal framework for protecting endangered wildlife and regulating activities involving listed species.

Oguntuase said FOU Zone ‘A’ would sustain intelligence-led operations, deepen collaboration with conservation organisations and other relevant stakeholders, and ensure that rescued animals receive appropriate care.

He warned that individuals involved in wildlife trafficking would face the full weight of the law.

“Those who engage in wildlife trafficking will be made to face the full weight of the law,” he declared.

Receiving the rescued pangolins, Dr. Austin Tochukwu of the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its vigilance and prompt intervention.

He assured the Service that the organisation would provide the animals with the necessary care and undertake efforts towards their rehabilitation and eventual release into a safe, protected environment.

The latest rescue underscores the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and wildlife conservation organisations in confronting the illegal wildlife trade.

The Nigeria Customs Service reiterated that protecting the country’s biodiversity is a shared national responsibility requiring sustained cooperation among government institutions, conservation partners and citizens.

As enforcement operations continue, attention is expected to focus on identifying the individuals and networks responsible for the movement of endangered wildlife through Nigeria’s transport corridors.

— as Acting Comptroller Afeni visits Police, Army, DSS, NDLEA, Immigration

Funso OLOJO, Editor 

The Acting Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, Lagos, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni, has called for stronger collaboration among security agencies to combat smuggling, cross-border crimes and other threats to national security, particularly as the country approaches another election period.

Afeni made the call during a familiarisation tour of sister security and law enforcement agencies in Lagos, which commenced on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

The tour took him to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja; the Department of State Services (DSS); Headquarters, 81 Division, Nigerian Army; the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Strategic Command; the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS); and the 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ikeja.

The visits were aimed at strengthening existing institutional relationships and identifying practical areas of cooperation in intelligence sharing, joint operations, information exchange and the enforcement of relevant laws across Lagos State and the wider operational jurisdiction of FOU Zone ‘A’.

At the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Afeni was received by the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, where he stressed the importance of coordinated security operations in preventing criminal elements from exploiting the election period to undermine public safety.

“We know that crime rates often increase as the country approaches the election period, as some people may attempt to take advantage of the period to perpetrate illicit activities capable of causing crises during the elections.

“Therefore, we are here to call for closer synergy so that these bad elements do not have their way,” he said.

The Customs chief emphasised that the responsibilities of FOU Zone ‘A’ extended beyond border protection to include collaboration with other security institutions in safeguarding national interests.

He noted that no security agency could effectively discharge its responsibilities in isolation, stressing that sustained cooperation was essential to tackling the increasingly complex nature of criminal activities.

Afeni particularly acknowledged the Nigeria Police Force’s intelligence-gathering capabilities, describing effective information sharing and coordinated operations as critical to achieving better security outcomes.

In his response, CP Fatai welcomed the visit, describing sustained engagement among security agencies as an established practice that had contributed to their operational successes over the years.

“In Lagos, we have a very strong and robust relationship with all security agencies, notwithstanding the huge population of the state,” the police commissioner said.

The Customs delegation also visited the Headquarters of the Nigerian Army’s 81 Division, where Afeni was received by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Adebayo Abdulrahman Babalola.

Babalola underscored the importance of joint operations and inter-agency cooperation in combating criminality, while cautioning against unnecessary administrative bottlenecks that could impede operational effectiveness.

The engagement highlighted the need for security institutions to streamline their operational processes, improve coordination and ensure that bureaucratic procedures do not frustrate timely responses to security threats.

Other agencies visited equally reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining cooperation with the Nigeria Customs Service in the collective effort to combat smuggling and other unlawful activities.

The familiarisation tour underscores FOU Zone ‘A’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency partnerships as a vital instrument for effective enforcement, national security and economic protection.

Beyond combating smuggling and trans-border crimes, the initiative is expected to reinforce efforts to protect government revenue, facilitate legitimate trade and safeguard Nigeria’s broader economic interests through coordinated security operations.