Nigeria on the rise: 10 Signs of an economy on rebound, by Olabode Opeseitan

*Nigeria’s economic momentum is unmistakable. This is the moment our people have long anticipated. Nigeria is ascending—and the future shines with promise despite the current socio-economic challenges

Olabode Opeseitan

Nigeria hasn’t seen times this good in recent history.

Today, it is one wave of good news after another — a powerful tale of a country once weighed down by policy missteps, now rising at last toward her full promise.

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Here are 10 undeniable signs that Nigeria is turning the corner:

1. Trade with China surged to $15.48 billion in the first seven months of 2025, soaring 34.7% year-on-year.
2. Q2 2025 GDP growth hit 4.23%—Nigeria’s fastest pace in four years—and outpaced IMF projections.
3. Inflation cooled to 20.12% in August 2025, its lowest level in over three years, falling five months running.
4. Oil production rebounded to 1.68 million barrels per day, fueling 20.46% growth in the oil sector.
5. External reserves climbed to a strong $42.03 billion this September—the highest since 2019—covering eight months of imports.
6. The Naira stabilised, gaining 3% against the Dollar in September, buoyed by FX reforms and fresh capital inflows.
7. Nigeria’s trade surplus jumped 44.3% in Q2 2025 to ₦7.46 trillion ($4.74 billion), the largest in nearly three years. Manufactured exports soared 173%, signalling economic diversification beyond oil.
8. Coal mining recovered dramatically from -22% decline in Q1 to +57.5% growth in Q2, becoming one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing sectors.
9. Transport infrastructure expanded robustly, as rail and water transport grew by over 40% and 27% respectively.
10. The Central Bank of Nigeria slashed interest rates for the first time in five years—a bold vote of confidence in macro stability.

Despite ongoing challenges, Nigeria’s economic momentum is unmistakable. This is the moment our people have long anticipated. Nigeria is ascending—and the future shines with promise.