Nigeria’s Historic Non-Oil Export Performance Signals a New Era of Economic Possibility

Nonye Ayeni, ED/CEO NEPC

Nigeria entered 2025 with a clear ambition: to accelerate the nation’s transition from an oil-dependent economy to one powered by diversified, globally competitive exports. Today, as we reflect on the year’s performance, it is evident that this ambition has not only taken root—it has delivered historic results.

The non-oil export sector closed 2025 at an unprecedented high, recording US$6.1 billion in receipts—an 11.5% increase over the US$5.46 billion achieved in 2024. This is the highest formally documented non-oil export value in Nigeria’s history. Export volumes also rose sharply to 8.02 million metric tonnes, up 10% from 7.29 million metric tonnes the previous year. These numbers are more than statistics; they are a testament to the resilience, innovation, and determination of Nigerian exporters and the institutions that support them.

As I noted during the release of the 2025 performance report, this was “an impressive year” in which Nigeria “took giant strides in our efforts to diversify the economy and grow the non-oil export sector.” The results underscore the sector’s growing relevance to national development and its capacity to anchor long-term economic stability.