The United States sharply reduced its purchase of Nigerian crude oil in January 2026, with imports falling by about 47 per cent compared to the previous month, according to newly released trade data.
Figures show that crude imports dropped from 3.149 million barrels in December 2025 to 1.664 million barrels in January, marking a decline of 1.485 million barrels within just one month. This reflects a significant drop in Nigeria’s share of the US oil market.
The decline was also evident in value terms. The worth of Nigerian crude imports fell from $217.36 million in December to $115.99 million in January. When additional costs such as shipping and insurance were included, the total value dropped from $223.10 million to $118.95 million.
Interestingly, the gap between the basic customs value and the total landed cost narrowed in January, suggesting a possible reduction in shipping or insurance expenses during the period.
The drop in Nigerian exports came amid a broader slowdown in US crude imports, which fell by about 5.1 per cent overall. However, Nigeria also lost ground to other African oil exporters. Angola significantly increased its exports to the US, while Ghana entered the market with fresh supply. Libya, on the other hand, recorded a decline.
As a result, Nigeria’s share of total US crude imports fell from about 1.59 per cent in December to 0.88 per cent in January.
Crude oil continues to dominate Nigeria’s exports to the US, accounting for over 60 per cent of total trade between both countries in January. Still, this represents a slight drop compared to December, indicating a gradual shift in trade composition.
Overall, US imports from Nigeria dropped to $183 million in January from $297 million in December. Meanwhile, US exports to Nigeria rose significantly, leading to a trade surplus of $419 million in favour of the United States.
Across Africa, the US recorded a trade deficit of $503 million in January, reversing the surplus seen in December, as imports from the continent increased.
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Despite the monthly decline, Nigeria remained a major supplier of crude oil to the US in 2025, contributing over half of Africa’s total exports to the American market. However, total volumes from the continent have been on a downward trend.
The latest figures also come at a time of shifting global trade dynamics and evolving US policies, including tariff adjustments and tighter visa rules, which analysts say could influence long-term trade flows.
While some experts believe the impact of US trade policies on Nigeria may be limited due to the narrow export base, others point to structural challenges such as over-reliance on crude oil and restrictions affecting business mobility as key concerns for the future.
