The United States cut its crude oil imports from Nigeria by 47.16 percent in January 2026, even as Nigeria recorded a marginal increase in production during the same period.
Latest trade data shows that U.S. crude purchases from Nigeria fell to 1.664 million barrels in January, down from 3.149 million barrels in December 2025, representing a decline of 1.485 million barrels within one month. The drop significantly reduced Nigeria’s footprint in the U.S. crude market.
In value terms, Nigerian crude exports to the United States declined sharply. The customs value dropped from $217.36 million in December to $115.99 million in January, while the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value fell from $223.10 million to $118.95 million over the same period. The difference between both valuations narrowed to about $2.96 million in January, compared to $5.74 million in December, indicating relatively lower freight or insurance costs.
The contraction occurred against the backdrop of a broader slowdown in U.S. crude imports, which declined by 5.1 percent, from 198.29 million barrels in December to 188.21 million barrels in January. However, Nigeria’s drop was significantly steeper, pointing to a loss of market share.
Within Africa, trade flows shifted as other exporters gained ground. Angola increased its shipments to the U.S. from 575,000 barrels in December to 2.062 million barrels in January, while Ghana entered the market with 738,000 barrels, having recorded no exports in the previous month. Libya’s exports, however, declined from 2.137 million barrels to 1.086 million barrels. Overall, total U.S. crude imports from Africa remained largely unchanged at 6.933 million barrels, indicating a redistribution of supply among producers.
Nigeria’s share of total U.S. crude imports fell to 0.88 percent in January, down from 1.59 percent in December, reflecting the scale of the decline.
The drop in exports came despite an increase in Nigeria’s crude production, which rose to about 1.64 million barrels per day in January, up from 1.55 million barrels per day in December, representing a 5.8 percent month-on-month increase.
Crude oil remained Nigeria’s dominant export to the United States, accounting for approximately 63.4 percent to 65.0 percent of total U.S. imports from Nigeria in January, compared to about 73.2 percent in December. Total U.S. imports from Nigeria stood at $183 million in January, down from $297 million in December.
The shift in trade flows also widened the trade imbalance in favour of the United States. The U.S. recorded a goods trade surplus of $419 million with Nigeria in January, up from $84 million in December, driven by a rise in U.S. exports to Nigeria from $381 million to $602 million, even as imports declined.
The latest figures highlight changing sourcing patterns among U.S. refiners and increased competition from other African producers, even as Nigeria continues to rely heavily on crude oil exports in its trade relationship with the United States.