Data from U.S. trade authorities has shown a significant drop in crude oil imports from Nigeria, with volumes falling sharply in January 2026 compared to the previous month, signalling a shift in energy trade flows between both countries.
According to figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, crude oil imports from Nigeria declined to 1.664 million barrels in January from 3.149 million barrels recorded in December 2025. This represents a reduction of about 47.16 per cent within a single month.
The value of imports followed a similar downward trend. Customs valuation dropped from $217.36 million in December to $115.99 million in January, while cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) values also decreased from $223.10 million to $118.95 million over the same period.
Brandspur Energy News Desk reports that the narrowing gap between customs and CIF values suggests changes in associated logistics costs such as shipping and insurance, which also declined slightly within the period under review.
The data further revealed that Nigeria’s share of total U.S. crude imports weakened significantly, falling to approximately 0.88 per cent in January from about 1.59 per cent in December. This decline reflects both reduced volumes and increased competition from other suppliers.
Within the African crude oil market, Nigeria lost ground to other exporters. While overall African crude shipments to the United States remained stable, countries such as Angola recorded a substantial increase in exports, rising from 575,000 barrels in December to over 2 million barrels in January. Ghana also entered the market with new shipments, contributing 738,000 barrels during the period.
Total U.S. crude imports declined by about 5.1 per cent month-on-month, falling from 198.29 million barrels in December to 188.21 million barrels in January. This broader slowdown indicates a general contraction in import demand, beyond Nigeria-specific dynamics.
Despite the drop in crude volumes, crude oil continues to account for a significant portion of Nigeria’s exports to the United States. However, its share of total imports from Nigeria decreased slightly, reflecting diversification in trade composition and reduced dependence on crude shipments.
Trade data also showed that the United States recorded a wider goods trade surplus with Nigeria in January, driven by increased U.S. exports to the country. Imports from Nigeria declined, while American exports rose, altering the bilateral trade balance in favour of the United States.
Analysts suggest that the decline in Nigerian crude exports to the U.S. may be influenced by a combination of factors, including global market dynamics, shifting supply preferences, and policy environments affecting trade relationships. Additionally, competition from other oil-producing nations has intensified within the U.S. import market.
The latest figures highlight evolving trends in global crude trade and underscore the need for Nigeria to strengthen its export competitiveness amid changing demand patterns and increasing diversification of supply sources in international markets.
