Nigeria’s non-oil exports reached a historic high of US$6.1 billion in 2025, marking the strongest performance recorded in the sector since the establishment of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) nearly five decades ago. The figure represents an 11.5 percent increase from US$5.4 billion in 2024, signaling continued momentum in the country’s long-standing push to diversify its economy away from crude oil dependence.
The announcement was made on Monday in Abuja by Nonye Ayeni, NEPC’s Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, during the council’s annual progress report and 2026 non-oil export outlook briefing. Ayeni said data compiled from pre-shipment inspection agencies indicated Nigeria had surpassed its previous record, describing 2025 as a “historic milestone for formal, documented trade.”
“Based on records from pre-shipment inspection agencies, Nigerian non-oil export performance in 2025 reached an all-time high of approximately US$6.1 billion, representing a year-on-year growth of about 11.5 percent over the US$5.4 billion recorded in 2024,” she said. “This marks the highest value achieved in formally documented trade since the inception of the council almost 50 years ago.”
The growth reflects stronger activity across multiple value chains, driven by expanding market access, improved compliance, and a gradual shift toward product diversification. Total export volumes also increased to 8.02 million metric tonnes in 2025, up from 7.29 million metric tonnes in 2024, a 10 percent rise.
Cocoa beans dominated the export basket by value, generating US$1.99 billion and accounting for 32.8 percent of total non-oil earnings from a shipment volume of 330,729 metric tonnes. Urea fertilizer followed with 3.25 million metric tonnes exported, valued at US$1.29 billion (21.2 percent of total export value). Cashew nuts contributed US$457 million, while sesame seeds earned US$300 million. Gold dore and cocoa butter also posted strong results at $229 million and US$209 million, respectively. Other notable exports included aluminum ingots (US$183 million), cigarettes (US$98 million), copper ingots (US$97 million), and rubber (US$84 million).
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Processed products such as cocoa liquor, cocoa cake, cashew kernels, soybean meal, and lithium powder highlighted the growing importance of value addition in Nigeria’s export mix. Solid minerals, including lead ingots, tin ore, and clinker, featured among the top 20 products, while other exports collectively accounted for US$563 million.
Nigeria exported a total of 281 non-oil products in 2025, spanning agricultural commodities, processed and semi-processed goods, industrial inputs, and solid minerals, reflecting gradual progress toward broader product representation in global markets.
Geographically, Nigerian non-oil exports reached 120 countries. Europe, Asia, and the Americas accounted for the bulk of export values. The Netherlands emerged as the largest single destination, importing goods worth US$1.07 billion (17.5 percent of total exports) from a volume of 289,757 metric tonnes. Brazil was second, taking in 1.58 million metric tonnes valued at US$630 million (10.4 percent), while India ranked third at US$464 million (7.6 percent).
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Exports to the Netherlands increased 32.5 percent in 2025, largely driven by cocoa beans, cocoa butter, sesame seeds, and other agricultural products. Brazilian imports rose 19.1 percent year-on-year, reinforcing Nigeria’s growing access to key global markets.
Ayeni emphasized that the record performance demonstrates the country’s steady progress in diversifying its export base, promoting value addition, and expanding market reach. She noted that continued improvements in regulatory compliance, infrastructure, and product quality would be critical for sustaining growth and increasing Nigeria’s competitiveness in international markets.
