The United States has slashed its imports of Nigerian goods by 41 per cent in just one month, raising alarm over the fragile state of Nigeria’s trade relations with one of its most strategic global partners.
The United States became a net exporter of crude oil to Nigeria in February and March, as crude demand on the U.S. East Coast slowed due to refinery maintenance, and the Dangote refinery drove up Nigeria’s demand for inputs.
The United States imported Nigerian crude oil worth $1.34 billion between January and May 2025, reinforcing Nigeria’s position as America’s top African crude supplier despite growing pressures on broader trade flows.
The trade relationship between the United States and Nigeria has suffered a significant setback, as official data from the US Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis show that US imports of Nigerian goods decreased by $527m.
Since early February, China has stopped receiving liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, with the last tanker arriving on February 6 in Fujian province, according to the Financial Times.
