A prominent support group has welcomed a surge in Nigeria’s non-oil export earnings, describing the record figures as a “stark reminder” that the country is successfully breaking its dependence on crude oil.

The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) issued the statement following new data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showing that non-oil exports reached ₦12.36 trillion (approx. $7.6bn) in 2025—a significant jump from ₦9.09 trillion the previous year.

The group claims the figures prove the administration is not merely paying “lip service” to economic diversification but is delivering tangible results.

A “Decisive Break” from Oil

For decades, Nigeria—Africa’s largest economy—has been tethered to the volatility of global oil prices. However, the TMSG argues that the latest trade data suggests a structural change is finally taking root.

“From ₦9.09 trillion in 2024 to ₦12.36 trillion in 2025, the non-oil sector has continued to record a surge,” said TMSG Chairman Emeka Nwankpa. “It is a clear testimony to the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu administration to diversify the Nigerian economy.”

The group highlighted that when the President assumed office in 2023, non-oil exports had dipped to ₦2.56 trillion. The current five-fold increase is being framed by supporters as a shield against future “global oil crises.”

Key Drivers: Minerals and Agriculture

While the “oil cash cow” still provides the bulk of Nigeria’s foreign exchange, the TMSG pointed to two specific sectors driving the new growth:

• The Mineral Sector: Cited as the strongest performer following a series of government fiscal incentives.
• Agriculture: Followed closely behind, benefiting from a renewed focus on export-oriented farming.

The group noted that the first nine months of last year saw the strongest non-oil performance since 2020, suggesting that the momentum is building rather than peaking.

Challenges Remain

Despite the praise from the TMSG, international analysts note that Nigeria still faces significant hurdles. High domestic inflation and infrastructure gaps at major ports remain “bottlenecks” that could limit the ceiling of this growth.

However, the TMSG remains optimistic, stating that the non-oil sector is “better placed” to exceed its 2025 performance this year as more businesses move toward manufacturing and mineral processing.