Nigeria’s international trade sector continued its upward trajectory in the third quarter of 2025, with total merchandise trade rising to N38.9 trillion.
The latest figures reveal a robust trade surplus of N6.69 trillion, signaling a strong performance in the country’s export activities relative to imports.
According to the data, the N38.9 trillion trade volume represents an 8.71 percent year-on-year increase from the N35.8 trillion recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2024. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the figure indicates a growth of 2.36 percent compared to the N38.04 trillion posted in the second quarter of 2025.
A breakdown of the performance highlights that exports significantly outweighed imports during the period under review. Total exports stood at N22.8 trillion, underscoring the continued dominance of Nigerian products—likely driven by crude oil and an uptick in non-oil commodities in the global market.
Conversely, total imports were recorded at N16.12 trillion. The resulting trade surplus of N6.69 trillion is expected to be viewed positively by economic analysts, as it suggests a favorable balance of trade that could support the stability of the Naira and boost foreign exchange reserves.
This sustained growth in merchandise trade reflects the resilience of the Nigerian economy and the potential impact of ongoing trade reforms aimed at boosting local production and export capacity.
