Business
Diversification: Nigeria rakes in $2.7bn from non-oil exports in the first half of 2024
Diversification: Nigeria rakes in $2.7bn from non-oil exports in the first half of 2024
Nonye Ayeni, executive director and chief executive officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says Nigeria recorded total receipts of $2.7bn from non-oil exports in the first half of 2024.
Ayeni made the disclosure in Abuja on Wednesday August 28, 2024 while addressing the media at the council’s presentation of its progress report on the non-oil sector performance for the first half of 2024.
The figure, she noted, represented a 6.26 percent increase compared to the $2.53 billion earned in the same period in 2023.
Nonye Ayeni attributed the growth to “the successful transition of government in May 2023 which brought about stability in the government, increase in demand for Made-in-Nigeria products and initiatives embarked on at the council…to reawaken the consciousness of Nigerians on the need to imbibe an export culture.”
She said the growth in non-oil export receipts underlines the ongoing efforts to grow the non-oil sector and diversify the economy from the mono-cultural dependence on oil in alignment with the Industrial Revitalization Plan of the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite and the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).
Speaking on some of the initiatives introduced by the council, Ayeni noted that the council has a new mantra “Operation Double Your Exports” with the core objective of “significantly increasing our non-oil exports to improve our foreign exchange earnings and for economic growth and job creation.”
She also cited other initiatives like “Export 35 Redefined” through which the Council has selected the top 20 agricultural products to focus on right from the farm gate through the entire value chain to market access with NEPC CONNECT, the council’s result-driven customer service team facilitating the interaction between exporters and the Council.
Breaking down the product profile and market reach, Ayeni said a total of 211 different products were exported during this period with cocoa beans, urea/fertiliser and sesame seeds as the top 3 products with a contribution of 23.18 percent, 13.78 percent and 11.04 percent of the total non-oil exports for the period. She noted that this is indicative of “a shift from traditional agricultural commodities to more semi-processed and manufactured goods.”
The total volume of exported products stood at 3,834,333.83 metric tonnes thus reaffirming, in her words “the widely held assertion that the non-oil sector holds the key to the revitalization of the country’s economy.”
Nigeria’s non-oil exports were exported to 122 countries spread across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania regions. The top 3 destinations were Netherlands, Malaysia, and Brazil based on value with Ghana emerging the only African country in the top 15 global importers from Nigeria.
To reach global markets, Nigerian exporters utilized 19 exit points made up of Seaports, International Airports, and Land Borders. 95.08% of the total non-oil exports were routed through seaports with the South-West and South-South accounting for over 95 percent of the total non-oil exports during the period in review.
Highlighting the contribution of Nigerian manufacturing concerns, Ayeni noted in her address that the top 3 companies by contribution are Indorama-Eleme Fertiliser and Chemical Limited which led with $198.8 million in exports; Starlink Global and Ideal Limited with $184.7 million, and Outspan Nigeria Limited with $177.75 million.
She also singled out other notable contributors to include Dangote Fertiliser Limited and Metal Recycling Industries Limited.
Thirty two banks contributed to non-oil export transactions in H1 2024. Zenith Bank Plc dominated in terms of financial support to the non-oil export sector. The bank handled 43.09 per cent of the total Non-Oil Export Proceeds (NXPs). It was followed by First Bank Nigeria Plc and Fidelity Bank which handled 6.56 per cent and 6.38 percent of Non-Oil Export Proceeds (NXPs) respectively.
Concluding her address, Nonye Ayeni called on Nigerian banks to enhance exporters’ capacity and access to international markets by leveraging the opportunities in the non-oil export sector, particularly in light of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
BUA Cement Signs Agreement With CBMI to Build 3-Million-Ton-Per-Annum Sokoto Line
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | Dubai, UAE
BUA Cement Plc, manufacturers of BUA Portland Limestone Cement and Sokoto Portland Limestone Cement, has signed an agreement with CBMI for the construction of a new ultra-modern 3-million-ton-per-annum cement production line in Sokoto.
The US$240 million project, which includes the cement line, power plant and supporting infrastructure, represents a major milestone in BUA Cement’s expansion strategy. Upon completion, the project will increase the company’s total installed production capacity to 20 million tons per annum, significantly strengthening supply across Nigeria and the wider region.
The agreement further deepens BUA Cement’s long-standing partnership with CBMI, spanning over 15 years. During this period, CBMI has successfully delivered cement production lines with a combined capacity of 14 million tons per annum across BUA Cement’s facilities in Obu, Edo State, and Sokoto State.
Strategically located, the Sokoto plant remains the only cement facility in Nigeria’s North-West region, providing efficient access to both domestic markets and neighboring landlocked countries. This unique positioning enhances BUA Cement’s ability to support infrastructure development and deliver high-quality Nigerian cement to new markets.
In addition, the 700-ton-per-day BUA mini LNG plant in Kogi State, scheduled for completion later this year, will supply clean and reliable energy to the new Sokoto line and existing operations. This initiative will improve operational efficiency, reduce emissions, and reinforce BUA Cement’s commitment to sustainable industrial growth.
The investment aligns with Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, which have improved the ease of establishing and operating manufacturing facilities while driving demand for infrastructure and construction. BUA Cement remains committed to supporting national development through capacity expansion, job creation, and critical infrastructure delivery.
With completion of the Sokoto Line 6 targeted within 20 months, BUA Cement is confident that the project will further consolidate its leadership position in Nigeria’s cement industry and across the West African region.
AEDC Reconnects FCT Water Board, Restoring Water Supply, Gives Reason for Disconnection
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc. (AEDC) acknowledges the concerns and spirited appeals from residents of the Federal Capital Territory following the disruption to water supply arising from the recent disconnection of electricity to the FCT Water Board over unpaid electricity bill.
AEDC wishes to clarify that the disconnection followed the accumulation of over one year of outstanding electricity debt by the FCT Water Board, despite several notices, engagements and opportunities provided to regularise the account, in line with applicable regulatory provisions.
However, in recognition of the critical importance of water supply to public health and community wellbeing, and following widespread concerns expressed by residents, the Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of AEDC, Engr. Chijioke Okwuokenye, has directed the immediate reconnection of electricity supply to the FCT Water Board, in order to enable the prompt restoration of water services across affected areas of the FCT.
This decision underscores AEDC’s commitment to the welfare of the communities it serves and reflects the company’s belief that access to essential services must be safeguarded, particularly where public health and safety are concerned.
The reconnection is, however, granted on a conditional basis. AEDC has formally issued the FCT Water Board a two-week timeline within which to present and begin implementing a credible payment plan towards the settlement of its outstanding electricity obligations.
While AEDC remains open to engagement and collaborative solutions, it must be stated that failure to meet this obligation within the stipulated period will regrettably leave the company with no alternative but to reapply service disconnection, in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
AEDC reiterates that disconnection remains a measure of last resort and assures residents of its continued commitment to transparent engagement, regulatory compliance and the delivery of sustainable electricity services in the Federal Capital Territory.
Adron Homes Sets Strategic Direction for 2026 at National Business Convention
Adron Homes has officially commenced its 2026 National Business Convention, themed “Breaking New Grounds, Beyond and Above 2.0,” reaffirming its commitment to innovation, growth, and leadership in Nigeria’s real estate sector.
The convention opened with a strategic address by the Chairman/Group CEO, Sir Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, who charged executives and managers across the organization to sustain excellence, embrace innovation, and drive sustainable expansion as Adron Homes strengthens its footprint nationwide.
Bringing together top executives, directors, and managers from across the country, the convention serves as a platform for strategic alignment, performance reviews, and planning for the 2026 business year.
At the session, the Executive Vice Chairman, Olori Aderonke Emmanuelking, presented the company’s overarching 2026 budget framework, outlining key growth priorities, operational benchmarks, and financial expectations designed to enhance efficiency and long-term value creation. The presentation underscored Adron Homes’ focus on disciplined planning and scalable impact.
Directors from various directorates also presented their 2026 budget proposals, highlighting expansion opportunities, operational optimization, and cross-functional collaboration to exceed previous performance milestones and deliver enhanced value to clients.
Participants described the discussions as insightful and energizing, noting the convention’s role in strengthening leadership engagement and reinforcing a unified growth vision across the organization.
Beyond budget deliberations, the convention features strategic training sessions led by senior executives to boost leadership capacity, operational effectiveness, and organizational readiness for the year ahead.
As “Breaking New Grounds, Beyond and Above 2.0” unfolds, Adron Homes continues to reinforce its brand as a forward-thinking real estate developer committed to innovation, sustainable growth, and transformative impact in Nigeria.
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