Nigeria exported crude oil valued at $1.34 billion to the United States between January and May 2025, reaffirming its status as America’s top African oil supplier despite a noticeable decline in trade volume.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the U.S. purchased 17.39 million barrels of Nigerian crude during the five-month period, accounting for over 62 per cent of all American crude imports from Africa. However, this figure reflects a 12.7 per cent drop in volume and an 11.8 per cent decline in value compared to the same period in 2024, when Nigeria shipped 20.4 million barrels worth $1.52 billion.
Crude oil remains Nigeria’s major export to the U.S., dwarfing shipments from other African countries, including Libya, Angola, and Ghana, whose combined crude exports to the U.S. stood at $811 million.
In May 2025, Nigeria shipped 4.2 million barrels of crude to the U.S., valued at $311 million, slightly down from $368 million in April. The decline highlights shifting market dynamics, including U.S. diversification of oil sources and increased domestic production.
Despite these changes, Nigeria retained its dominance in Africa-U.S. energy trade, with statutory trade records (Customs and C.I.F. data) confirming oil exports valued at $1.34 billion (FOB) and $1.38 billion (C.I.F.).
While crude oil exports remain stable, Nigeria’s overall trade with the U.S. is weakening due to new U.S. trade tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Trump’s April 2 executive order imposed a 10 per cent import tariff on most countries, with Nigeria facing a higher 14 per cent tariff due to its past trade surplus with the U.S. Though crude oil was exempted, the tariffs have dampened demand for Nigerian non-oil goods, including agricultural products and manufactured items.
Total U.S. imports from Nigeria fell to $2.12 billion in the first five months of 2025, down from $2.65 billion in the same period of 2024 — a decline of almost 20 per cent. In May 2025, U.S. imports from Nigeria dropped to $400 million, compared to $517 million in May 2024.
The trade balance between both countries has shifted significantly. In 2024, Nigeria recorded a $596 million surplus over the U.S. However, by May 2025, the U.S. had reversed the trend, achieving a $295 million surplus.
This reversal was driven by a surge in U.S. exports to Nigeria, which rose to $2.42 billion between January and May 2025, up from $2.05 billion in 2024 — a 17.8 per cent increase. A significant portion of this increase came from the automobile sector, with the U.S. exporting $426 million worth of vehicles and parts to Nigeria, including $312 million in passenger cars, $29 million in trucks and buses, and $86 million in spare parts.
Despite maintaining its lead in crude oil exports, Nigeria’s overall relevance in U.S.–Africa trade is gradually shrinking. The country accounted for just 10.8 per cent of U.S. imports from Africa and 14.8 per cent of American exports to the continent in the first five months of 2025, both slightly lower than the previous year.
Egypt has overtaken Nigeria as the U.S.’s top African export destination, with U.S. exports to Egypt rising from $1.95 billion in 2024 to $3.43 billion in 2025, a massive 76 per cent increase. On the import side, South Africa remains dominant, with the U.S. importing $8.67 billion worth of goods from the country, more than four times Nigeria’s total.
Nigeria’s total trade volume with the U.S. now stands at $4.54 billion, trailing behind Egypt and South Africa, raising concerns about the country’s competitiveness in the evolving U.S.–Africa trade landscape.