Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings surged to a record $1.7 billion in the first quarter of 2025, the highest in nearly five decades, according to a statement shared on Tuesday, April 29, by presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga.
Posting on his X handle, Onanuga announced the milestone, attributing much of the success to agricultural and processed commodities. “Nigeria’s non-oil exports hit a record $1.7 billion in Q1, the highest in 49 years,” he wrote.
Cocoa and its derivatives were the major contributors, accounting for 45 per cent of the total export value. Other significant products included cashew nuts, sesame seeds, aluminium and copper ingots, soybeans, and rubber.
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Onanuga quoted Nonye Ayeni, Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), who revealed that the Q1 figures represent a 24.75 per cent increase from the same period in 2024.
“She said the year-on-year increase was the highest since the council was created 49 years ago,” Onanuga stated.
The NEPC attributed the rise to ongoing reforms and aggressive promotion of value-added products as the country continues to shift away from oil dependency in favour of a diversified export base.