Nigeria exported 197 products worth $1.79bn in Q1 2025 — NEPC boss
By Matthew Denis
The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nonye Ayeni, has revealed that Nigeria exported 197 different products valued at US$1.791 billion to 96 countries in the first quarter of 2025.
Ayeni made this disclosure on Wednesday at the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2021 Level 4 Diploma in International Trade Programme, held in Abuja. The diploma initiative is a collaborative effort between NEPC, the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the UK’s Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade (CIE&IT).
Addressing the graduates, Ayeni described the programme as a strategic component of NEPC’s Export Mentorship Programme, which is delivered through the Council’s Export Training Institute.
“This training aligns with our commitment to developing a new generation of exporters, taking them from zero knowledge to full export readiness through a combination of mentorship, fieldwork, and structured learning,” she said. “So far, 2,423 mentees have benefited from this programme.”
She went on to detail Nigeria’s recent export performance, noting that the United Kingdom remains a key trading partner.
“In Q1 2025, Nigeria exported 197 distinct products worth US$1.791 billion to 96 countries. The UK continues to be one of our top markets, importing Nigerian aluminium ingots, pet flakes, soya bean meal, foodstuffs, drinks, and more,” Ayeni said.
“The bilateral trade relationship spans various sectors, including energy, finance, agriculture, and manufacturing. In 2023, trade volume between Nigeria and the UK reached approximately £6.1 billion, underscoring steady growth over time.”
Challenging the new graduates to apply their skills meaningfully, Ayeni urged them to seize the opportunity presented by the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which was introduced in 2023.
“This scheme removes tariffs on selected products such as sesame, fertiliser, and plantain. It represents a unique opportunity NEPC must fully harness to expand Nigeria’s exports.
"I therefore call for stronger collaboration with the ITC, British High Commission, and the CIE&IT to drive this forward,” she said.
Ayeni thanked the ITC for sponsoring the diploma programme and commended CIE&IT for providing top-tier faculty, describing the training as timely and essential for increasing Nigeria’s non-oil exports and maintaining competitiveness within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“This diploma course has equipped you with the capabilities needed to thrive in international trade. The modules covered – including Business Environment, Finance of International Trade, International Marketing, and Physical Distribution – are perfectly aligned with today’s trade realities,” she said.
“NEPC is committed to leveraging these new skills to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in our efforts to double non-oil exports. We are keen to continue this partnership with ITC and CIE&IT to train even more trade officers.”
Also speaking at the event, Mujina Kaindama, Head of Trade Policy and Market Access for Nigeria at the UK Department for Business and Trade, British High Commission, praised the graduates for their commitment to professional development.
“You have balanced work, life, and study to earn credentials that place you among a growing cohort of globally competitive trade experts,” she said.
Kaindama described exports as more than a policy target, calling them a national economic imperative.
“Exports are the bridge between local industries and global markets. They drive job creation, industrial growth, and foreign exchange stability. To achieve a sustainable post-oil economy, we must build strong export value chains,” she said.
Referencing the DCTS, she added, “This policy can only succeed with skilled professionals like you who understand the systems, elevate standards, and connect sectors.”
Kaindama applauded NEPC’s vision, saying, “This partnership with ITC and the Chartered Institute is exactly the type of practical, skills-driven collaboration we want to see more of. By investing in human capacity, NEPC has invested in progress.”
To the graduates, she added, “You are now ambassadors for Nigeria’s trade ambitions and for the UK–Nigeria partnership. Use your training to help local businesses scale globally, link Nigerian goods to British consumers, and promote a trade environment that is open, inclusive, and forward-looking.”
“The UK remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s export drive through continued training, investment, and dialogue. Trade is not just an economic transaction – it is a path to shared prosperity and resilience,” she concluded.