Nigeria’s non‑oil exports surged by 25.75% to $1.79 billion in the first quarter of 2025, a notable improvement over the 19.59% growth recorded in the same period of 2024. This increase is largely driven by rising demand for sesame seed, which has captured a substantial share of the global market.
According to Nonye Ayeni, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), sesame seed exports have become a key growth area as the council works to diversify the economy away from oil dependence. In 2024, sesame seed ranked third among the top 20 export products, with 337.83 metric tonnes shipped, representing 4.63% of the total export quantity.
Speaking on behalf of Chika Sylvia, the council’s Chief Trade Promotion Officer, at an event for sesame seed farmers, Ayeni highlighted the sector’s potential to generate significant foreign‑exchange earnings. She emphasized that the global market offers an enormous opportunity for Nigeria to increase its forex earnings, provided the right support and promotion are in place.
The expansion of non‑oil exports, particularly sesame seed, demonstrates the agricultural sector’s capacity to contribute to economic growth and reduce reliance on oil revenues. As the NEPC continues to promote Nigeria’s export base, further growth in other non‑oil products is expected, further diversifying the economy and boosting foreign‑exchange earnings.
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