In the first quarter of 2026, the country recorded a noticeable rise in export activity, with total exports climbing to $925.84 million. That is a 38.68 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Nigeria Customs Service. For a country long defined by crude oil receipts, the shift, even if still early, feels significant.

Export container traffic almost doubled within the same period, rising from 9,722 units in the first quarter of 2025 to 19,014 this year. That 95.58 percent jump suggests that goods are leaving the ports faster and in larger quantities.

In its report, the agency said, “exports processed in Q1 2026 stood at $925.84m, representing a 38.68% increase compared to Q1 2025, while total containers handled rose to 19,014 from 9,722, indicating a 95.58% growth.”

A quarter that found its rhythm

The growth did not arrive all at once; we could see that by January, the year opened on a softer note, with exports slipping slightly by 1.12 percent to $267.66 million. February steadied things, posting a 12.43 percent increase to $253.12 million.

Then came March, exports surged to $425.48 million, up from $171.76 million in March 2025, a sharp 135.83 percent increase. It is the kind of spike that shifts the tone of an entire quarter, turning what could have been modest progress into something more convincing.

“March 2026 recorded the highest export performance within the quarter at $425.48 million, reflecting a 135.83% increase year-on-year and driving the overall quarterly growth,” the report noted.

More than just numbers

Beyond export values, revenue tied to trade activity also moved upward. Export surcharge collections rose from ₦163.66 million, about $109,000, to ₦199.36 million, roughly $133,000, marking a 21.81 percent increase.

Under the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme, collections grew from ₦5.01 billion, approximately $3.34 million, to ₦6.03 billion, about $4.02 million. That is a 20.15 percent rise.

These are not headline-grabbing figures on their own, but they tell a quieter story. More goods are being processed, more transactions are happening, and more sectors are beginning to show up in the export mix. Agriculture, manufacturing, and solid minerals are gradually finding their footing.

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Part of this improvement appears tied to the mechanics of trade itself. Fewer bottlenecks, better port handling, and a more efficient movement of goods have all been long-standing issues. The near doubling of container traffic suggests that some of those constraints are easing, even if not completely resolved.

The Nigeria Customs Service, central to this system, has also seen its own numbers rise. In 2025, it generated ₦7.281 trillion, about $4.85 billion, surpassing its ₦6.5 trillion target. That performance builds a certain level of expectation for 2026, where the agency is aiming for around ₦9 trillion, roughly $6 billion.

A fragile but promising shift

For all the optimism, the path ahead is not guaranteed. Export growth, especially outside oil, depends on consistency. Stable exchange rates, reliable infrastructure, and policy follow-through will matter more than a strong quarter.

March may have provided the momentum, but sustaining it is the real test.

Still, there is something worth noting here. Nigeria’s export story is beginning to widen. And for the first time in a long while, it feels like there is more than one chapter being written.

Meiza Nigeria