Nigeria’s non-oil export sector continued its upward trajectory in the first quarter of 2025, recording a significant 24.75% increase in value compared to the same period in 2024. This was disclosed by the Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Madam Nonye Ayeni, during a recent press briefing in Abuja where the council presented its Q1 2025 Non-oil Export Performance Report.
According to her, Nigeria exported non-oil goods valued at US$1.791 billion in the first quarter of 2025, a sharp rise from US$1.436 billion recorded in Q1 2024. The volume of exports also saw a massive leap, rising from 1.937 million metric tonnes to 2.416 million metric tonnes, representing a 243.44% increase.
Cocoa, Urea, and Cashew Dominate Export Market
The first quarter saw 197 distinct products exported, up from 162 in the same period last year. Topping the list were cocoa and its derivatives—cocoa beans, butter, liquor, and cake—accounting for 45.02% of total non-oil exports. Urea/Fertilizer followed at 19.32%, and Cashew Nuts at 5.81%.
Other major exports included sesame seed, gold ore, aluminum ingots, copper ingots, soya beans/meal, and rubber, highlighting the country’s growing diversification efforts across agriculture, mining, and manufacturing sectors.
Regional Exports and the Promise of AfCFTA
NEPC’s report shows increased engagement with African trading partners. Exports to ECOWAS member states surged to US$63.060 million, up by 223.10% from US$19.517 million in Q1 2024. Additional exports to other African countries totaled US$32.732 million.
Madam Ayeni emphasized the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to revolutionize intra-African trade, positioning Nigeria as a continental export hub. “We are working to ensure Nigeria takes its rightful place as the giant of Africa,” she noted.
Building Exporter Capacity and Reducing Rejections
To further boost quality and global market access, NEPC implemented 64 capacity building programmes across all six geopolitical zones, reaching 6,821 participants. The council also supported 105 exporters in obtaining Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) international certifications, with another 100 exporters currently undergoing the process.
Efforts to curb export rejections intensified with the validation of a baseline study on sesame and cowpea value chains, in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC) Geneva.
Supporting Farmers and Women Exporters
The NEPC distributed 4,633 hybrid seedlings to farmers in states including Kogi, Ondo, Zamfara, Bayelsa, and Plateau, as part of its agricultural export intervention. These include oil palm, cocoa, coffee, groundnut, and organic fertilizer to promote cluster farming and export readiness.
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, the council co-hosted the Hershowcase event under the UK-funded SheTrades Commonwealth Programme, with over 150 women exporters in attendance. Additionally, Nigeria was selected as the only African country among four global beneficiaries of the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, which has already attracted 68,748 Nigerian women applicants.
Promoting Market Access and Partnerships
NEPC’s international push saw Nigerian exporters participate in major events such as the In-Cosmetics Global Trade Fair in Amsterdam, the Commonwealth Trade & Investment Summit in the UK, and a Trade Mission to Mexico involving 25 companies.
Madam Ayeni credited the progress to the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda and the support of Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, in pushing Nigeria’s economic diversification forward.
