Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded by 3.98% year-on-year in real terms in the third quarter of 2025, according to newly released data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
Lagos, Nigeria – December 2, 2025
The latest figure reflects a slight but meaningful acceleration from the 3.86% growth rate recorded in Q3 2024, signaling continued economic resilience despite global and domestic challenges.
The agricultural sector played a pivotal role in boosting overall output. Agriculture grew by 3.79% in Q3 2025, compared with 2.55% in the same period last year. The NBS report attributes this improved performance to stronger production across key segments, including crops, livestock, and fisheries. Analysts say improved weather conditions, better access to inputs, and modest reforms in the value chain helped drive the sector’s momentum.
Economists note that while the growth remains below the levels needed to significantly reduce unemployment and poverty, the upward trend suggests that ongoing recovery efforts are gaining traction. Stronger performance in agriculture—one of Nigeria’s largest employers—could support broader economic stability in the coming months.
More detailed sector-by-sector data from the NBS is expected to provide further insight into the drivers of the quarter’s performance, as policymakers evaluate strategies for sustaining growth into 2026.
