Nigeria’s non-oil export sector reached a historic milestone in 2025, generating a record $6.1 billion in revenue, the highest level since the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) was established nearly 50 years ago.
The performance represents an 11.5 per cent increase from the $5.4 billion recorded in 2024, signalling growing traction in the country’s efforts to reduce reliance on crude oil earnings.
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, disclosed the figures on Monday in Abuja during the council’s annual progress report and 2026 outlook briefing. She said the data, compiled from pre-shipment inspection agencies, confirmed that Nigeria had surpassed its previous best export performance.
Ayeni described the result as a landmark achievement for formally documented trade, driven by broader product diversification, improved compliance standards and expanding market access.
Cocoa beans emerged as Nigeria’s top non-oil export in 2025, earning $1.99 billion and accounting for nearly one-third of total export value. Urea fertiliser followed with exports worth $1.29 billion, while cashew nuts and sesame seeds generated $456.9 million and $300.4 million respectively. Other strong performers included gold dore, cocoa butter, aluminium ingots, cigarettes, copper ingots and rubber.
Processed and semi-processed products such as cocoa derivatives, cashew kernels, soya bean meal and lithium powder also featured prominently, reflecting gradual progress in value addition. In total, Nigeria exported 281 non-oil products during the year, spanning agriculture, manufacturing inputs and solid minerals.
Export volumes rose alongside earnings, climbing 10 per cent year-on-year to 8.02 million metric tonnes in 2025.
Nigeria’s non-oil goods reached 120 countries, with the Netherlands emerging as the largest destination by value, accounting for 17.53 per cent of exports. Brazil and India followed, with strong growth recorded in shipments to Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Despite the strong showing, Ayeni noted that a significant share of non-oil exports still moves through informal channels, particularly across land borders. She said efforts were underway, in collaboration with key government agencies, to capture informal trade and improve data accuracy.
Looking ahead, the NEPC expressed optimism for 2026, citing expanded exporter support, stronger value chains, improved certification standards and new trade opportunities, including the Nigeria–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
