Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings climbed to a record $6.1 billion in 2025, an 11.5 percent increase from the $5.4 billion recorded in 2024, reinforcing the country’s long-standing effort to reduce its reliance on crude oil revenues, Business Insider Africa reported.
Data compiled by pre-shipment inspection agencies and cited by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council show that the 2025 figure is the highest since the council was established nearly five decades ago.
The increase was driven by higher export volumes and expanded access to international markets for Nigerian products.
Speaking during a progress report and 2026 export outlook briefing, the council’s Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nonye Ayeni, said the results reflect deeper integration of Nigeria’s non-oil sector into global trade.
“The non-oil export sector rose to approximately $6.1 billion, representing a year-on-year growth of about 11.5 percent over the $5.4 billion recorded in 2024,” she said, adding that the figure surpassed the previous record set only a year earlier.
Export volumes also rose, highlighting gains in production capacity and stronger participation across supply chains. Total non-oil exports reached 8.02 million metric tonnes in 2025, compared with 7.29 million metric tonnes in 2024, representing growth of about 10 percent.
The data show that Nigeria exported 281 non-oil products during the year, covering agricultural produce, processed goods, and solid minerals.
Analysts say the range of products points to a gradual move toward greater value addition and broader engagement in global markets.
However, they note that informal cross-border trade still accounts for a significant share of activity, limiting Nigeria’s ability to fully capture export value.
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The export performance comes amid broader challenges across the continent highlighted by the World Bank.
In a recent report on food security and logistics in Africa, the lender warned that the region remains heavily dependent on a narrow group of staple foods, specifically cassava, rice, maize, and wheat, which together account for 45 percent of caloric intake across Africa.
The report shows that Africa imports more than 30 million tonnes of maize, over 35 million tonnes of rice, and around 60 million tonnes of wheat each year, largely from Europe, South Asia, and other regions.
“Just four key commodities account for 45 percent of caloric intake across Africa,” the World Bank said, noting that transport and logistics play a critical role in food availability and affordability.
Once imported, staples face delays due to poor port infrastructure, inefficient logistics systems, and long inland transportation routes.
On average, food travels about 4,000 kilometres over 23 days in Africa, roughly four times the distance in Europe, increasing the risk of spoilage and raising costs.
Weak road networks, congested borders, and limited rural connectivity further worsen these challenges.
For Nigeria, the implications are especially serious. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation has projected that about 34.7 million Nigerians could face severe food shortages during the 2026 lean season, between June and August.
As the country marks record non-oil export earnings, policymakers are simultaneously confronted with the need to strengthen logistics, expand local food production, and ensure that trade gains translate into improved food security at home.
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Image Credit: Nigeria News
