*Distributes 23,239 hybrid seedlings, inputs to 3,047 farmers
*As non-oil exports hit $3.225b
WorldStage Newsonline– The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has confirmed that Nigeria exported products worth 663 million metric tonnes to 11 ECOWAS countries in the first half year of 2025.
The Director-General of the NEPC, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, made this known to newsmen, while presenting a report on first half of 2025 Non-Oil Export Performance, in Abuja on Sunday.
Ayeni said that the figure showed an increase in exported products as against the same period in 2024.
“In the same vein, Nigeria exported 488 million metric tonnes of products worth 83.538 million dollars to 21 African countries outside ECOWAS.
“This is reflecting an increase of 2.59 per cent of the total export value as compared to 1.96 per cent for the same period of 2024.
“It also lends credence to the fact that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) holds the key to intra-African trade.
“Indeed, Nigeria’s active participation in the AfCFTA is a testament to the significant opportunity it offers to exporting companies, also Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs),” she said.
Ayeni said that the effort would help to boost regional trade and drive economic growth across the African continent.
She, therefore, commended the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, on its commitment in ensuring that Nigeria becomes a hub and a major player in economic development.
She said of the top 20 leading export companies, Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemical Ltd and Starlink Global and Ideal Ltd, maintained their position as the first and second.
According to her, the companies maintained their position with 11.92 per cent and 8.82 per cent, respectively.
She said that in the period under review, a total of 29 banks participated in processing export transactions.
“A total of 10,214 Nigeria Export Proceed Forms (NXPs) were opened through these banks for non-oil exports with Zenith Bank Plc leading the pack with 31.98 per cent of the total NXPs for non-oil export.
“While First Bank Nigeria Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc came second and third, with 12.44 per cent and 11.47 per cent, respectively,” she said.
The director-general said that a total of 18 exit points were used in exporting non-oil products from Nigeria during the period under review.
She said that the exit points included eight seaports, three international airports and seven land borders, adding that 94.15 per cent of the total non-oil exports were routed through seaports.
The NEPC boss said that in the period under review, the council organised over 252 capacity building programmes, with a total of 27,352 participants across the country.
She said that the training focused on documentation and procedures and export readiness.
“We also carried out training in the area of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Warehousing Practice (GWP), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), packaging and labelling, among others”.
NON-OIL EXPORTS
NEPC also announced that the country’s non-oil exported products in the half-year of 2025 were valued at 3.225 billion dollars.
Director-General of the council, Mrs Nonye Ayeni while presenting a report on the first half of 2025 Non-Oil Export Performance said that the report was aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of the council’s achievements, challenges and prospects.
“I am pleased to inform you that non-oil products exported in the first half of 2025 were valued at 3.225 billion dollars.
“This shows an increase of 19.59 per cent as against the sum of 2.696 billion dollars recorded for the first half of the year 2024.
“The volume also increased to 4.04 million metric tonnes, compared to the 3,83 million metric tonnes for the same period of 2024,” she said.
The director-general recalled that in April, Nigeria’s non-oil products exported in the first quarter of 2025 recorded a significant value of 1.791 billion dollars.
She said that the figure represented a 24.75 per cent increase over the 1.436 billion dollars reported in the first quarter of 2024.
Ayeni said that the volume also increased to 2.416 million metric tonnes, representing a 24.3 per cent increase from the 1.937 million metric tonnes recorded in the first quarter of 2024.
She further stated that a total of 236 different products were exported in the first half of the year.
This, the director-general said, represented an increase of 16.83 per cent compared to the 202 distinct products exported in the first half of 2024.
She said that the products exported included agricultural commodities and extractive industries as well as manufactured and semi-processed products.
“However, it is pertinent to state that the non-oil export of Nigerian products is gradually diversifying from traditional agriculture exports to semi-manufactured products,” she said.
Ayeni noted that based on the data received from Pre-shipment Inspection Agents (PIAs), of the top 20 products exported in the first half of this year, cocoa beans was the highest
She said that the product had 34.88 per cent value in terms of total export compared to 23.18 per cent for the same period in 2024.
“Urea/fertiliser came second with 17.65 per cent as against 13.78 per cent for the first half of 2024,” she added.
The director-general said that African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) had helped in providing wider market access and tariff relief for Nigerian exporters.
She also said that the council had some export intervention programmes, such as capacity-building on quality and standards, packaging and labelling, export documentation and certifications.
“During the period under review, the council also facilitated market access and market linkage programmes for our exporting companies, thereby, giving their products more visibility in the global market.
“The growth in value-added exports improved earnings, as more exporters are now imbibing the culture of value addition to their products.
“The rising demand from emerging economies, such as India, Brazil, Vietnam and Africa have, however, increased Nigeria’s non-oil export volumes and diversity,” she said.
Ayeni expressed the council’s commitment to working with Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and other relevant stakeholders to sustain the strong performance by increasing the volume and value of non-oil exports from Nigeria.
The efforts, she said, were in alignment with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the policy drive of the ministry.
HYBRID SEEDLINGS
The NEPC boss said the council has distributed 23,239 hybrid seedlings and farm inputs to 3, 047 farmers across the country.
Ayeni disclosed this to newsmen while presenting a report on the first half of 2025 Non-Oil Exports Performance in Abuja.
She said that the effort was part of the NEPC’s Corporate Social Investment, adding that the seedlings range from cocoa, sesame seeds to oil palm.
“This intervention programme has significantly enhanced the quality of produce by the farmers as well as increased the production of these commodities for export in the global market,” she said.
Ayeni said that over 150 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) were trained on the Export Mentorship Programme.
According to her, 60 exporters from various states were deployed to be mentored by five top-performing exporters.
“At the end of the programme, the SMEs became more confident and resilient in handling export procedures and documentation,” she said
The director-general said that the council organised a sensitisation workshop for SMEs exporting companies along the species value chain.
“The essence is to create market opportunities for export of the products in Lagos and Kano respectively.
“Over 100 SMEs were sensitised on the market opportunities and export requirements in the global market,” she said.
Ayeni, however, said that the council was mindful of the ongoing challenges in the sector.
“We remain committed to navigating these challenges as we continue to deliver value to our stakeholders.
“For this reason, I sincerely acknowledge the support of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, in driving the diversification agenda of the Federal Government.
“The agenda is in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which is targeted at job creation, poverty alleviation, economic growth and diversification of the economy away from oil,” she said.
She said that the NEPC remained resolute and committed to driving up the volume and value of non-oil exports for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
