U.S. Reduces Nigerian Crude Imports by Nearly 50%

In a notable change in global oil trade, the United States sharply reduced its imports of Nigerian crude oil in January 2026. The volume fell by almost half compared to the previous month. New data from the U.S. Census Bureau show that U.S. crude purchases from Nigeria fell by 47.16% in January, marking one of the largest monthly declines in recent years.

Dramatic Drop in Trade Volumes

According to the latest figures, U.S. crude imports from Nigeria fell from about 3.149 million barrels in December 2025 to just 1.664 million barrels in January 2026. This represents a decrease of around 1.485 million barrels in just one month.

The decline in value was also significant. The customs value of Nigerian crude imports to the United States dropped from $217.36 million in December to $115.99 million in January. Meanwhile, the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value fell from $223.10 million to $118.95 million during the same period.

Nigeria’s Shrinking Share of the U.S. Market

This drop in imports also reduced Nigeria’s share of total U.S. crude purchases. In December 2025, Nigerian crude made up about 1.59% of all U.S. crude imports; by January 2026, that share decreased to 0.88%.

Although Nigeria continues to supply crude to the U.S., this sharp contraction indicates changing sourcing trends among American refiners. Competing African producers, especially Angola and Ghana, increased their exports to the United States during this time, suggesting that buyers may be diversifying their sources or reacting to shifts in pricing and logistics.

Broader Context: Global and Domestic Pressures

The decline in U.S. imports from Nigeria comes during a broader slowdown in American crude imports overall, which fell by 5.1% to 188.21 million barrels in January, according to reports. However, the sharper decline in Nigerian imports compared to the overall trend points to competitive pressures and changing trade relationships.

Historically, the United States has been one of Nigeria’s key crude customers. Nigeria has supplied U.S. refineries with light, sweet crude grades that fit certain American refinery configurations.

However, data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows that U.S. dependence on Nigerian crude has been declining over the decades, with Nigeria’s share of U.S. oil imports now below historical peaks.

Implications for Nigeria’s Oil-Dependent Economy

The drop in U.S. purchases comes at a time when Nigeria’s oil export earnings have faced challenges. Recent data indicated that Nigeria’s overall crude oil export earnings fell by $5.31 billion in 2025, even as production levels varied throughout the year.

In an economy where oil is a major source of foreign exchange, significant changes in export destinations or volumes can affect fiscal balances, currency stability, and government revenue forecasts.

Analysts suggest that Nigerian producers may need to shift more decisively toward alternative markets or improve competitiveness through pricing, quality, and logistics enhancements.