Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew to 4.33 % in the second quarter of 2025, up from 3.13 % in the first quarter. This acceleration is largely driven by the non‑oil sectors, which now account for 95.5 % of the economy, while the oil sector contributes 4.05 %. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the service sector led the expansion with a 56.53 % share, followed by agriculture at 26.17 % and industry at 17.31 %. The oil sector also posted modest growth, rising to 4.05 % from 3.97 % in the previous quarter.
Despite the overall increase, key areas such as agriculture, manufacturing, trade and ICT remain relatively sluggish. High inflation and interest rates—20.12 % and 27.50 % respectively in August 2025—continue to weigh on the economy. Experts acknowledge the modest gains but stress that more must be done to translate growth into tangible benefits for Nigerians and investors.
Muda Yusuf, director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, praised the improvement in the oil sector but urged the government to boost productivity in the non‑oil sector to generate more revenue and jobs. Gbolade Idakolo, CEO of SD & D Capital Management, welcomed the GDP rise but highlighted persistently high petroleum product prices and interest rates, which have not fallen despite increased refining capacity. Professor Godwin Oyedokun of Lead City University commended the policies that helped lift Q2 2025 growth, yet warned of structural weaknesses, unbalanced growth, debt, and fiscal pressures.
The experts’ comments suggest that while the GDP growth is a positive development, it does not automatically translate into higher living standards for Nigerians. To consolidate gains and make growth more inclusive, the government must tackle inflation, stabilize the naira, and expand infrastructure investment. As Nigeria’s economy evolves, the challenge will be balancing the pursuit of growth with addressing the pressing concerns of its citizens.
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