The United States imported $1.34 billion worth of Nigerian crude oil between January and May 2025, maintaining Nigeria’s position as its top African oil supplier even as broader trade flows face pressure from new U.S. tariffs.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis showed that 17.39 million barrels of Nigerian crude were shipped to the U.S. during the five-month period, continuing the trend of oil dominating bilateral trade, though both volume and value were lower than the same period in 2024.
In the first five months of 2024, Nigeria exported 20.4 million barrels of crude to the U.S., valued at $1.52 billion.
This year’s figures reflect a 12.7% drop in volume and an 11.8% decline in value, due to shifts in the U.S. oil market, including higher domestic production and changing sourcing strategies.
Still, Nigerian crude made up more than 62% of all U.S. oil imports from Africa, far outpacing Libya, Angola, and Ghana, whose combined exports to the U.S. totaled $811 million during the same period.
In May alone, Nigeria exported 4.2 million barrels worth $311 million to the U.S., down from $368 million in April.
Customs and C.I.F. (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) data showed nearly identical numbers, placing Nigeria’s oil exports to the U.S. at $1.34 billion and $1.38 billion, respectively.
Despite steady oil flows, Nigeria’s broader trade performance with the U.S. is slipping due to the Trump administration’s new trade policies.
An executive order signed in April imposed a flat 10% tariff on most imports, with Nigeria facing an even higher 14% rate because of its past trade surplus with the U.S.
Although crude oil is classified as a strategic commodity and was exempt from the tariffs, Nigeria’s non-oil exports have been hit hard.
Sectors like agriculture and manufacturing have seen reduced demand from American buyers.
In May 2025, total U.S. imports from Nigeria stood at $400 million, compared to $517 million in the same month of 2024.
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Overall, U.S. imports from Nigeria dropped to $2.12 billion in the first five months of 2025, down from $2.65 billion during the same period last year, a nearly 20% decline.
Meanwhile, American exports to Nigeria have surged, increasing 17.8% year-on-year.
The U.S. sold $2.42 billion worth of goods to Nigeria between January and May 2025, up from $2.05 billion in 2024. This shift reversed the trade balance between the two countries.
Nigeria had posted a $596 million trade surplus in early 2024, but by May 2025, the U.S. had a $295 million surplus.
In May alone, the U.S. exported $515 million worth of goods to Nigeria while importing $400 million, resulting in a $115 million monthly trade surplus for America. The U.S. automobile sector played a major role in this reversal.
American exports of motor vehicles and parts to Nigeria totaled $426 million between January and May 2025, including $312 million in passenger vehicles, $29 million in trucks and buses, and $86 million in spare parts.
The figures point to growing Nigerian demand for automobiles and increased reliance on U.S. suppliers for high-value manufactured goods.
Nigeria’s overall share in U.S.–Africa trade is also slipping. The country now accounts for just 10.8% of U.S. imports from Africa and 14.8% of American exports to the continent, both slightly down from the previous year.
Egypt has overtaken Nigeria as the U.S.’s top African export destination, with exports to Egypt rising 76% year-on-year to $3.43 billion.
On the import side, South Africa remains dominant, with the U.S. buying $8.67 billion worth of goods from the country in the first five months of 2025, more than four times Nigeria’s export volume.
With total trade between Nigeria and the U.S. at $4.54 billion, Nigeria now trails both Egypt and South Africa, raising concerns about its long-term competitiveness in U.S.–Africa trade.
As global supply chains shift and protectionist policies reshape trade patterns, Nigeria’s heavy reliance on crude oil and limited export diversification may continue to undermine its standing in the American market.
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Image Credit: Nairametrics
