The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) generated more than $500 million in export revenues and created over 20,000 direct jobs in 2025, reinforcing their role in driving export-led growth, industrialisation and employment.
The figures were contained in an official document reviewing the activities of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, titled “2025: A Defining Year for Nigeria’s Industry, Trade and Investment.”
According to the document, the export earnings were recorded through activities coordinated by the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) as part of reforms implemented under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones generated over $500m in export revenues and created more than 20,000 direct jobs, reinforcing their role as engines of export-led growth, industrialisation, and employment generation,” the ministry stated.
The ministry noted that 2025 marked a defining phase in Nigeria’s economic repositioning, with reforms that expanded industrial capacity, boosted exports and restored investor confidence. It explained that the progress recorded was the result of coordinated reforms across investment attraction, trade expansion, export diversification and institutional strengthening, supported by collaboration between government agencies, the private sector and development partners.
Beyond the performance of the SEZs, the ministry reported strong gains in non-oil exports, which rose by 21 per cent to $12.8 billion in the first half of 2025, almost double the $6.5 billion target. This growth contributed to a ₦12 trillion trade surplus during the period, while total trade value expanded by 14 per cent, driven by trade facilitation reforms and improved logistics.
“This performance reflects the cumulative impact of targeted trade reforms, improved export processes, and increased value addition across key sectors,” the ministry said.
Nigeria’s leading non-oil export products during the period included cocoa and cocoa derivatives, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, shea butter, ginger, hibiscus flowers, rubber, palm oil derivatives, fertilisers, cement and liquefied natural gas.
The ministry also highlighted capacity-building initiatives, noting that in partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, it trained 27,352 exporters, certified 200 micro, small and medium enterprises for international trade, and supported 3,047 farmers with hybrid seedlings.
On inclusive trade, the Women Export Fund reportedly attracted more than 67,000 applications, with grants awarded to 146 women-led enterprises.
In terms of investment attraction, the ministry said Nigeria recorded a turnaround in 2025, with four priority projects valued at $13.7 billion advancing from signed Memoranda of Understanding worth $50.8 billion.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, led high-level bilateral engagements and trade missions to key economies, which the ministry said helped reshape investor perceptions and deepen investment pipelines.
“These engagements have delivered tangible gains, enhancing investor confidence, improving deal flow quality, and positioning Nigeria as a credible, reform-driven destination for long-term capital,” the document noted.
The ministry added that the Federal Government plans to build on the 2025 outcomes in 2026, with a focus on execution, export acceleration and sustained investment to drive job creation and shared prosperity.
