ABUJA — The Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) has revealed that it disbursed N179.79 billion to Nigerian exporters in 2025. Speaking at the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) on Wednesday, February 26, 2026, Managing Director Abubakar Bello described the funding as a “call to arms” to actualize President Bola Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy agenda.
Represented by Dr. Babagana Musti, Bello emphasized that for Nigeria to reach a $1 trillion GDP, it must aggressively pivot from a “resource-based” mindset to an “export-led” growth model.
Diversification: The Bridge to $1 Trillion
NEXIM’s daily mandate is now centered on the Non-Oil Export Sector, which the bank views as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic future. The bank is targeting three high-potential industries:
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Solid Minerals: Unlocking vast untapped wealth through tailored financing like contract mining and equipment leasing.
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Agriculture: Moving Nigeria up the value chain from raw commodity sales to finished product exports.
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Creative Industries: Supporting the global export of Nigerian intellectual property and culture.
“We cannot float a trillion-dollar economy on the back of a single commodity.”
— Abubakar Bello, MD/CEO of NEXIM
Removing “Silent Killers”: The Sealink Project
Beyond direct funding, NEXIM is addressing the high logistics costs that stifle trade. Through the Regional Sealink Project, the bank is supporting maritime and inland waterway infrastructure to:
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Reduce Costs: Lowering the financial burden of moving goods across borders.
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Increase Efficiency: Making “Made in Nigeria” labels more competitive in the international marketplace.
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Attract FDI: Streamlining trade routes to encourage Foreign Direct Investment.
Strengthening the Foundation: The N1 Trillion Capital Base
The 2025 fiscal year also saw a major legislative push to empower NEXIM. In November 2025, the Senate and various stakeholders began mulling a hike in the bank’s capital base from its current N50 billion to N1 trillion.
| Financial Metric | 2024/2025 Data |
| 2025 Disbursements | N179.79 Billion |
| Total Non-Oil Intervention | Over N495 Billion |
| 2024 Operating Profit | N30.47 Billion (up from N13.75bn in 2023) |
| Jobs Created/Sustained | 36,000+ direct and indirect jobs |
| Proposed Capital Base | N1 Trillion |
AfCFTA Leadership
NEXIM is positioning Nigeria not just to participate in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), but to lead it. By de-risking export businesses, the bank ensures that local SMEs and conglomerates can navigate markets from Accra to Cairo, building a robust intra-African wealth network.
Transparency and the “Intellectual Engine”
Addressing over 200 finance journalists at the AGM, Bello reaffirmed NEXIM’s Open-Door Policy. He challenged the media to scrutinize the bank’s programs and counter rumors with factual reportage, noting that international investor confidence is built on transparent success stories.
