Abuja: The Organisation of Youth in International Trade and Commerce (OY-ITC) has called for a broader review of Nigeria’s non-oil export performance, following recent figures released by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). The NEPC had reported that non-oil export earnings rose by 11.5 per cent, from 5.46 billion dollars in 2024 to 6.1 billion dollars in 2025.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr Chinedu Amadi, President of the OY-ITC, a Non-Governmental Organisation, disclosed this in an interview on Wednesday in Abuja. Amadi, also an economist, said that the figures were widely viewed as positive signals for Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts. He noted that the data largely reflected nominal earnings and may not fully capture underlying trade realities.
Amadi highlighted that since 2023, exchange-rate movements had influenced export values, sometimes raising earnings without a corresponding increase in export volumes. Goods exported at similar international prices can yield higher dollar receipts due to currency adjustments. Rising domestic costs have shaped exporters’ experiences in recent years, with increased expenses related to energy, transportation, packaging, financing, and farm inputs across the export value chain.
He remarked that these cost pressures have affected output levels, particularly among small and medium-sized exporters. Some exporters had adjusted operations cautiously, while others reduced market participation. Export assessments often focused on value rather than volume and productive capacity, linking export growth to higher output, processing activity, and expanded industrial participation.
Amadi pointed out that Nigeria’s non-oil exports remain largely concentrated in raw and minimally processed commodities, with limited value addition increasing exposure to price movements and currency changes. He emphasized that long-term export growth depended on productivity improvements and stronger industrial linkages. Strategic trade and industrial partnerships could support capacity development and export competitiveness.