Nigeria’s economy saw a marked improvement in the second quarter of 2025, expanding at a rate of 4.23% year‑on‑year, up from 3.48% in Q2 2024 and 3.13% in Q1 this year, according to the latest figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
Here are the top ten sectors bolstering Nigeria’s real GDP in Q2 2025, ranked by their contribution:
| Rank | Sector | Share of Real GDP |
| 1 | Trade (Wholesale & Retail) | 18.28% |
| 2 | Crop Production | 17.80% |
| 3 | Real Estate Services | 12.80% |
| 4 | Telecommunications & Information Services (ICT) | 11.18% |
| 5 | Livestock | 5.90% |
| 6 | Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas | 4.05% |
| 7 | Construction | 3.60% |
| 8 | Food, Beverage & Tobacco (Manufacturing) | 2.87% |
| 9 | Financial Institutions | 2.84% |
| 10 | Public Administration | 2.73% |
Analysis & Implications
- Non‑oil sectors dominate. Aside from crude oil and natural gas, virtually all the leading sectors are non‑oil, underscoring the growing diversification of Nigeria’s economy. (
- Agriculture remains foundational. With crop production (17.80%) and livestock (5.90%) together representing over 23% of real GDP, the agricultural sector continues to be a backbone for both employment and food security.
- Trade and ICT leading the charge. Trade alone accounts for nearly a fifth of the economy, while telecommunications & information services contribute significantly over 11%. These sectors are key engines of growth and innovation.
- Oil’s modest rebound. Though still important, crude petroleum & natural gas contributed just 4.05%, suggesting that the sector’s role in growth is smaller than non‑oil sectors in this period.
- Public administration and financial services also make up the lower end of the top ten still vital, but not driving growth the way trade, agriculture or ICT are.
What to Watch Going Forward
- Can investment in agriculture continue to scale sustainably, especially with infrastructure, supply chain, and access to credit constraints?
- Will ICT maintain its upward trajectory, particularly in light of digital infrastructure deployment and regulation?
- How will policy measures support sectors like construction and manufacturing to ensure they don’t lag behind?
