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Newz.Africa, Business Desk | 21 April 2026 | Nigera | Nigeria crude imports
Nigeria imported about 61.7 million barrels of crude oil from the United States between January 2024 and January 2026, worth roughly $4.9 billion at an average price of $80 per barrel. The figures point to rising reliance on foreign crude as domestic refining capacity expands. The trend has emerged alongside strong export volumes from Africa’s largest oil producer.
What’s Happening
Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration crude trade analysis show that crude flows from the United States to Nigeria increased sharply over the period, reversing years in which Nigeria rarely imported U.S. crude. The data confirm that trade patterns shifted after refining activity began at the Dangote facility in 2024.
The increase aligns with refinery demand. The draft states that between January and June 2024, Nigeria imported about 15.7 million barrels, valued at roughly $1.26 billion.
Newz.Africa Analysis
According to TheStar Imports rose further in 2025, which accounted for the largest share of inflows. From February to December 2025, Nigeria imported about 41.06 million barrels, worth around $3.28 billion. Independent reporting based on EIA datasets also shows a sharp year-on-year rise in imports during 2025, reflecting increased demand for refinery feedstock.
Monthly volumes peaked in June 2025 at more than 300,000 barrels per day, exceeding 9 million barrels for the month. Volumes declined towards the end of the year before rising again in January 2026.
At the same time, export figures remained substantial. The draft cites Central Bank of Nigeria data indicating that about 306.7 million barrels were exported between January and October 2025, worth an estimated $24.5 billion.
The draft further states that the Dangote Refinery requires more than 19 million barrels of crude oil per month to operate at optimal capacity. To meet demand, the refinery has supplemented domestic supply with imports from the United States and other producers.
The combined effect is a dual trade flow. Nigeria continues to export crude at scale while importing crude to sustain local refining operations.
The figures point to a structural constraint in Nigeria’s oil sector. Domestic refining capacity is expanding, yet crude allocation patterns have not fully adjusted to supply those facilities.
Data from the EIA country energy profile for Nigeria show that Nigeria has historically exported most of its crude production and only began importing crude in more recent periods.
This suggests that refinery growth is outpacing domestic supply availability for local processors. As a result, operators may continue sourcing crude externally even when national production remains high.
For policy makers, the issue centres on supply allocation and contract structures. If export commitments continue to dominate crude distribution, local refining may remain dependent on imports.
The data indicate that Nigeria is operating within a transitional model. It remains a major exporter of crude while simultaneously importing feedstock to support refining capacity. That structure may persist until supply chains, contracts, and domestic allocation frameworks are adjusted.
Original Reporting
Original reporting: This story is based on U.S. Energy Information Administration crude trade data and Nigeria country energy profiles. Additional figures and timelines are drawn from the verified dataset included in the draft.
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