Business
NEPC reports $2.7bn in non-oil exports half year 2024
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council reported that non-oil exports generated $2.7bn in the first half of 2024, representing a 6.26 per cent increase from the $2.5bn recorded during the same period in 2023.
This was disclosed by the Executive Director/Chief Executive of NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, during a presentation of the progress report on non-oil export performance for H1 2024 in Abuja on Wednesday.
Ayeni stated that the total volume of exports during the review period was 3.834m metric tonnes, with 211 products exported, ranging from agricultural commodities to products from extractive industries.
She noted that the performance indicates that Nigerian products are gradually diversifying from traditional raw agriculture exports to semi-processed and manufactured goods.
She attributed the increase in export value to the successful transition of government in May 2023 and the policy initiatives under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Additionally, Ayeni highlighted the impact of the NEPC’s “Operation Double Your Exports” initiative, which she said has positively influenced the sector’s performance.
“In just six months, we have seen tangible results from our concerted efforts to expand Nigeria’s non-oil export base.
“I am optimistic that with the several export intervention programmes and projects we have started and are ongoing, complemented by the NEPC flagship campaign programme, ‘Operation Double Your Exports.
‘The sector is positioned to contribute immensely to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings and thereby ensure sustainable economic growth, which aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for job creation, poverty alleviation, among others,” Ayeni stated.
She also emphasised the council’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to stimulate export growth. Reflecting on her tenure since October 2023.
“When I assumed office in October 2023, I and my management team resolved to reposition the non-oil export sector towards global competitiveness,” she said.
Ayeni also discussed the growing prominence of several exportable products, such as fresh vegetables, citrus peel, and sorghum, which are increasingly in demand in global markets.
Business
Truecaller adds travel eSIM to portfolio
COO at Truecaller, Fredrik Kjell, said that the launch marks Truecaller’s move into mobile data services, broadening the platform beyond caller ID and spam protection, and for the first time adding digital consumables to the portfolio.
Truecaller has launched travel eSIM in Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Malaysia, and 25 other countries, saying it is to deepen global communications among people by dismantling fetters occasioned by location.
COO at Truecaller, Fredrik Kjell, said that the launch marks Truecaller’s move into mobile data services, broadening the platform beyond caller ID and spam protection, and for the first time adding digital consumables to the portfolio.
Travel eSIM is also currently available to purchase in Italy, Sweden, Spain, France, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Austria, Finland, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway, Chile and Indonesia.
The leading global platform for verifying contacts and blocking unwanted communication, has 500 million people already on its platform with their daily communication.
Travel eSIM extends that relationship to international travel – a category where users routinely overpay for connectivity or arrive at their destination disconnected.
Travel eSIM is a fully digital mobile data service that activates in minutes and offers plans from 1 GB over seven days to 20 GB over 30 days. Customers can buy travel eSIM in 29 markets at launch, through the Truecaller iPhone app or on the web at Truecaller.com.
Business
Nigeria’s external debt: Tinubu’s borrowing in 24 months surpasses 55 years record
He revealed that, with Nigeria’s total public debt of N159.28 trillion as of April 2026, according to the Debt Management Office, every Nigerian owes N670,000, lamenting the rapid expansion of Nigeria’s debt profile in recent years.
” The N65.9 trillion borrowed by the administration of President Bola Tinubu in the last 24 months is more than five times the total debt Nigeria incurred in the first 55 years of its Independence.”
This observation was made by Chairman of the Alliance for Economic Research and Ethics LTD/GTE, Dele Oye.
Oye, who is the immediate past chairman of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN), noted that while successive governments accumulated debt over decades, the Tinubu administration alone added N65.9 trillion in two years, compared to just N12 trillion accumulated over 55 years.
He revealed that, with Nigeria’s total public debt of N159.28 trillion as of April 2026, according to the Debt Management Office, every Nigerian owes N670,000, lamenting the rapid expansion of Nigeria’s debt profile in recent years.
Oye cautioned that unless urgent measures are taken to strengthen revenue generation and fiscal discipline, the rising debt burden could place long-term pressure on public finances and constrain government spending on critical sectors.
Cast your mind back to 2006. Nigeria had just pulled off one of the most celebrated fiscal feats in African history. President Olusegun Obasanjo paid $12 billion to extinguish $30 billion in Paris Club debt. Nigeria was, briefly, externally debt-free. The Excess Crude Account (ECA) was flush. The future looked fundable. Twenty years later, that golden moment reads like a fairy tale. Under President Goodluck Jonathan, debt crept back to N12.06 trillion by 2015, manageable, but the warning signs were already blinking. Then came the Buhari years.
“In eight years, the debt exploded from N12.06 trillion to N87.38 trillion, a 620 percent increase. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was pressed into printing money through ‘Ways and Means’ advances; N23.7 trillion of this was eventually securitised into long-term bonds, effectively converting a government overdraft into a generational liability.
“Tinubu’s administration has added a further N65.9 trillion in just two years. To put that in perspective: it took Nigeria’s first 55 years of independence to accumulate N12 trillion in debt. The present administration has added more than five times that amount in 24 months,” said Oye.
Business
Gas Marketers pleads for FG intervention over soaring price for common Nigerians
NALPGAM National President, Mr. Edu Inyang, said that cooking gas now sells between N1, 500 and N1, 700 per kilogram, the current situation has placed millions of households, food vendors, small businesses and low-income earners under severe pressure, as many Nigerians can no longer afford cooking gas for daily use.
The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently intervene and stabilise the supply and pricing of cooking gas inoder to prevent further hardships on Nigerians.
NALPGAM National President, Mr. Edu Inyang, said that cooking gas now sells between N1, 500 and N1, 700 per kilogram, the current situation has placed millions of households, food vendors, small businesses and low-income earners under severe pressure, as many Nigerians can no longer afford cooking gas for daily use.
He disclosed that marketers pay between N25.2 million and N26.2 million for a 20-metric-tonne truck of liquefied petroleum gas, depending on location.
-
Sports3 days agoFIFA releases 2026 World Cup anthem ‘Goals’, by Rema, LISA, Anitta
-
Politics2 days agoAPC Presidential Primary: Massive turnout as Amosun, Gov Abiodun, Adeola join party faithfuls at wards, commend exercise
-
News3 days agoBurial begins for Oyo school teacher killed by JAS terrorist group
-
Sports3 days agoMan Utd permanents Carrick as manager
-
Entertainment3 days agoAnnie Macaulay announces “I’m back to acting”
-
Politics2 days agoAPC PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY: Gov Alia Unveils Election Materials, Assures of Transparent Process in Benue
-
Politics2 days agoADC Hails Court Ruling on INEC Guidelines as Vindication, Predicts Mass Defection from APC
-
Politics2 days agoADC Demands Access to El-Rufai, warns ICPC Against Further Intimidation
