Nigeria's non-oil exports have reached a record $6.1 billion in 2025, according to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council. This represents a significant milestone for the country's manufacturing sector. The growth in non-oil exports is attributed to various initiatives aimed at promoting export-oriented industries. The Nigerian Export Promotion Council also reported that the export volume rose to 8.02 million metric tonnes in 2025.
The Manufacturers' Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group has called on the Federal Government to urgently reduce production and logistics costs. This call is aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian products in international markets. High interest rates, unreliable electricity supply, energy costs, poor roads, and logistics bottlenecks are major challenges faced by manufacturers.
The Manufacturers' Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group made the call at its ninth Annual General Meeting in Lagos. The meeting was themed "Unlocking Nigeria's Manufacturing Export Performance Through Tackling Cost, Logistics as Competitiveness Constraints." The group emphasized the need for measurable progress in reducing operating costs.
Chairman of MANEG and Director, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, BAT Nigeria, Mrs Ruth Owojaiye, said exporters needed government support to ensure logistics issues are addressed. She welcomed the reduction of the Monetary Policy Rate to 23 per cent but said businesses would judge its impact by whether it eventually translated into cheaper financing.
Owojaiye renewed MANEG's call for settlement of outstanding Export Expansion Grant claims. The payment would help exporters reinvest and cushion cost pressures. Director-General of the Manufacturers' Association of Nigeria, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said Nigeria's challenge was not merely to increase exports but to create a business environment in which local manufacturers could compete successfully.
Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, said Nigeria recorded its highest-ever non-oil export performance in 2025. She said Nigeria exported 281 products to 120 countries during the year. The NEPC is pursuing initiatives aimed at reducing export logistics challenges.
The NEPC is implementing initiatives such as domestic export warehouses, the Single Window trade facilitation system, and air cargo corridors. MANEG called for stronger collaboration among government, manufacturers, exporters, financial institutions, and regulatory agencies to improve competitiveness and expand Nigeria's manufacturing exports.
Key points
- Nigeria's non-oil exports reach $6.1bn in 2025
- Manufacturers call for lower costs to enhance competitiveness
- NEPC implements initiatives to reduce export logistics challenges
