Nigeria’s imports of consumer and industrial goods continued to surge in the third quarter of 2025, reflecting persistent demand for both everyday household items and high-value industrial products, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The report shows that Nigerians imported footwear, umbrellas, headgear, sunshades, and similar household items valued at N26.42 billion between July and September 2025. Consumer goods remain a significant portion of total imports, highlighting the country’s ongoing reliance on foreign products for daily needs.
Textiles and textile articles also featured prominently, with imports worth N248.32 billion during the quarter. Miscellaneous manufactured goods were valued at N100.03 billion, while prepared foodstuffs, beverages, spirits, vinegar, and tobacco collectively accounted for N748.62 billion.
High-value capital and industrial items dominated the import landscape. Mineral products led the sector at N5.23 trillion, followed by boilers, machinery, and appliances at N2.59 trillion. Vehicles, aircraft, and associated parts were valued at N1.62 trillion.
In total, Nigeria’s merchandise imports reached N16.12 trillion in the third quarter, contributing to an overall trade volume of N38.94 trillion for the period.
The figures underscore the ongoing challenge facing policymakers: despite government initiatives aimed at boosting local production and reducing import dependence, many domestically produced alternatives remain limited in supply or comparatively expensive. As a result, households and businesses continue to rely heavily on imported goods.
Speaking at the G24 press briefing on the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, noted that the country’s trade position has improved thanks to macroeconomic reforms designed to stimulate domestic production and support export growth.
Representing the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, Cardoso highlighted that Nigeria’s trade surplus now stands at around six per cent of Gross Domestic Product. “Nigeria’s trade surplus has risen to six per cent of the nation’s GDP and is expected to remain at that level in the near term,” he said, attributing the positive trend to sound macroeconomic policies that are beginning to yield tangible results.
Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Finance, emphasized in a statement that the country’s economic outlook is brightening, despite challenges from global economic headwinds.
The NBS data, coupled with comments from the CBN Governor, paint a complex picture: while trade deficits have narrowed and policy reforms are taking effect, the nation continues to import heavily, particularly in sectors where local production has yet to meet demand.