Nigeria’s export trade experienced significant growth between January and May 2026, with export earnings rising to $1.218bn as container throughput more than doubled over the period, according to the Nigeria Customs Service.
The NCS said it processed 21,376 export containers within the five-month period, attributing the improvement to increased export activities and sustained trade facilitation initiatives.
The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this on Thursday during a joint security briefing in Abuja.
Represented by the Chief Superintendent of Customs, Titus Omojali, Maiwada said export earnings recovered strongly after declining to $171.76m in March, rising to $274.83m in April before reaching a five-month high of $275.90m in May.
“The Service recorded total exports valued at $1.218bn, with 21,376 containers processed. After declining to a low of $171.76m in March, export performance rebounded strongly, reaching $274.83m in April and peaking at $275.90m in May.”
“Container throughput also rose significantly, more than doubling from 2,847 containers in March to 6,144 in April, reflecting increased export activity and trade momentum,” the Customs spokesman said.
He said the improved export performance coincided with significant progress in the service’s broader trade facilitation mandate.
According to him, the Nigeria Customs Service processed 698,817 Single Goods Declarations and issued 112,202 Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports between January and May 2026, helping to streamline cargo clearance and strengthen border management.
“The Nigeria Customs Service continues to record significant progress in its core mandates of trade facilitation, revenue generation, border security and protection of national economic interests,” he stated.
He added that the efficient processing of cargo documentation contributed to the generation of ₦3.35tn in revenue during the review period.
The service spokesman attributed the improved export performance and overall trade growth to the deployment of intelligence-driven operations, advanced technology, enhanced risk management systems, and stronger collaboration with relevant government agencies.
He said, “Through the strategic deployment of intelligence-led operations, advanced technology, risk management systems and robust inter-agency collaboration, the Service continues to suppress the movement of illicit goods, disrupt transnational criminal networks, combat money laundering and terrorism financing, protect endangered wildlife, and secure the nation’s borders against emerging threats.”
