In a historic milestone for economic diversification, Nigeria’s non-oil exports climbed to an all-time high of $6.1 billion in 2025, marking the sector’s strongest performance since the establishment of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) nearly five decades ago.
The figure, announced by NEPC Chief Executive Nonye Ayeni in Abuja on Monday, represents an 11.5% year-on-year increase from the $5.4 billion recorded in 2024 and underscores the growing momentum in the country’s drive to reduce dependence on crude oil.
Key Highlights of the 2025 Performance:
· Record Value: $6.1 billion in formal, documented non-oil exports.
· Volume Growth: Export volume rose 10% to 8.02 million metric tonnes, up from 7.29 million metric tonnes in 2024.
· Product Diversification: Nigeria exported 281 different non-oil products, spanning agricultural commodities, processed goods, industrial inputs, and solid minerals.
“Based on records from pre-shipment inspection agencies, Nigerian non-oil export performance in 2025 reached an all-time high,” stated Ayeni during her annual progress report and 2026 outlook briefing. “This marks the highest non-oil export value achieved in the country from the inception of the council almost 50 years ago.”
A Broad-Based Expansion
Ayeni explained that the growth was not limited to value alone but was mirrored in physical volume, reflecting improved activity across several value chains. The expansion was supported by broader market access and a steady shift towards value-added exports, indicating deeper integration into global trade networks.
Caveats and the Road Ahead
Despite the record, the NEPC boss cautioned that the figures do not capture the full potential of Nigeria’s export economy, as significant informal trade persists across land borders. She revealed that the council is collaborating with the National Bureau of Statistics, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other agencies to integrate informal trade data into official records and enhance policy support for exporters.
Ayeni added that ongoing reforms, incentives, and capacity-building initiatives would be intensified in 2026 to sustain this growth trajectory and further expand Nigeria’s non-oil export footprint.
This record performance arrives amid concerted government efforts to boost foreign exchange earnings, stabilize the national currency, and insulate the economy from volatile oil prices by deepening revenue streams from non-oil sectors.
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