Nigeria’s manufacturing sector grew by 1.25% in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, showing a slight improvement over the corresponding period of 2024 but remaining marginally below the level achieved in the second quarter of 2025.
In nominal terms, the sector expanded by 3.45% year-on-year, a sharp slowdown from the 13.83% recorded in the third quarter of 2024 and lower than the 4.51% posted in the previous quarter.
On a quarter-on-quarter basis, however, nominal output rose significantly by 32.36%. Manufacturing contributed 8.06% to nominal GDP in the period under review, down from 9.21% in Q3 2024 but higher than its 6.87% share in Q2 2025.
Real manufacturing GDP growth of 1.25% in Q3 was slightly below Q2’s performance and below the contribution levels recorded in prior quarters. Quarter-on-quarter, real activity increased by 8.65%, reflecting improved output across several manufacturing categories.
The sector’s real contribution to GDP stood at 7.62%, compared with 7.82% in the same period of 2024 and 7.81% in the preceding quarter.
The manufacturing sector comprises thirteen subsectors, including oil refining, cement, food and beverages, textiles and apparel, wood products, paper products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, non-metallic minerals, plastics and rubber, electrical and electronic goods, basic metals, motor vehicle assembly and other manufacturing activities.
These subsectors collectively define the industry’s structure and remain central to domestic industrial output.
The data for Q3 2025 indicates mixed sectoral conditions: nominal performance weakened relative to last year, real growth remained modest, and quarterly activity improved.
Manufacturers continue to operate under cost pressures and structural bottlenecks, which remain relevant factors for forward performance assessments.