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Significant Growth in Nigeria’s Crude Oil Imports from the US in 2025
Nigeria’s crude oil imports from the United States have surged dramatically, exceeding 42 million barrels during the first ten months of 2025. This remarkable increase, representing a 167% rise compared to the same period in 2024, is primarily fueled by escalating demand from expanding refinery operations within the country.
Import Trends and Monthly Breakdown
According to the latest figures from the US Energy Information Administration, Nigeria imported 42.13 million barrels of crude oil from the US between January and October 2025, a sharp jump from 15.79 million barrels in the corresponding months of 2024. Notably, imports were absent in January 2025 but resumed in February with 3.11 million barrels, slightly below the 3.61 million barrels imported in February 2024. The volume then climbed steadily, reaching 5.25 million barrels in March 2025, a significant increase from 1.83 million barrels the previous year.
The import figures continued to rise, with May 2025 seeing 3.79 million barrels-1.71 million barrels more than May 2024. June marked a peak with 9.16 million barrels, followed by a slight dip to 4.17 million barrels in July, still surpassing the previous year’s levels. August recorded 6.24 million barrels, while September and October maintained steady imports of 4.19 million barrels each.
Driving Forces Behind the Import Surge
Industry analysts attribute this upward trend largely to the growing crude oil requirements of Nigeria’s private refineries, especially the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. This facility has increasingly favored US light sweet crude due to its compatibility with sophisticated refining technologies, enabling the production of higher-quality petroleum products.
The Dangote refinery’s ramp-up in crude intake is a key factor in this import expansion, reflecting a broader shift in Nigeria’s energy sector towards greater reliance on imported crude to meet domestic refining needs.
Economic Implications and Expert Insights
Petroleum economist Wumi Iledare describes this surge as a fundamental transformation with wide-reaching economic consequences. He emphasizes that the impact on Nigeria’s economy will hinge on factors such as exchange rate stability, efficient allocation of domestic crude resources, and the operational efficiency of refineries.
“The substantial rise in crude oil imports from the US-surpassing 42 million barrels in just ten months-signals a structural change with significant macroeconomic and sectoral effects,” Iledare explained. He further noted that if Nigeria maintains macroeconomic stability and optimizes refinery utilization, the increased imports could positively influence national output, income levels, and employment rates.
Looking Ahead: Potential Trends and Market Outlook
Should the current trajectory continue, Nigeria’s total crude oil imports from the US for 2025 are expected to climb even higher by year-end. This trend underscores the evolving dynamics of Nigeria’s oil industry, where private refineries are playing an increasingly pivotal role in shaping crude sourcing strategies.
The shift towards US crude also reflects global market trends, where light sweet crude is preferred for its lower sulfur content and ease of refining, aligning with Nigeria’s ambitions to enhance its petroleum product quality and meet growing domestic demand.
