Nigeria dramatically ramped up crude oil purchases from the United States in 2025, importing 42.13 million barrels within the first 10 months of the year, new data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) has revealed.
The figure represents a year-on-year increase of about 26.34 million barrels, compared to the 15.79 million barrels imported during the same period in 2024—a surge of roughly 167 per cent.
Nigeria More Than Doubles Reliance on US Crude
The sharp rise highlights a major shift in Nigeria’s crude sourcing pattern, with imports from the US more than doubling within a year. Analysts say the trend reflects growing refinery demand, especially from privately owned facilities, alongside structural challenges in domestic crude supply.
In contrast, 2024 imports were relatively low and unstable, with monthly volumes mostly below four million barrels and dipping to just 1.04 million barrels in June.
How 2025 Imports Gained Momentum
A month-by-month breakdown shows how US crude imports accelerated in 2025:
- February: 3.11 million barrels (slightly below 2024 levels)
- March: 5.25 million barrels, up nearly 1.83 million barrels year-on-year
- April: 2.04 million barrels
- May: 3.79 million barrels
- June: 9.16 million barrels — almost nine times June 2024 volumes
- July: 4.17 million barrels
- August: 6.24 million barrels
- September & October: 4.19 million barrels each
The June spike alone accounted for over 20 per cent of total US crude imports in 2025 so far, marking a clear turning point.
Dangote Refinery Driving the Surge
Industry analysts link the surge largely to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s steady ramp-up, with US light sweet crude favoured for its compatibility with complex refining processes.
Despite expectations that the $20bn refinery would rely primarily on Nigerian crude, data suggests otherwise.
According to commodities analytics firm Kpler, US crude made up about 60 per cent of Dangote’s 590,000 barrels per day crude intake in July, while Nigerian grades accounted for just 40 per cent.
July marked the first time US crude overtook Nigerian supply at the refinery, driven by ongoing domestic sourcing challenges.
Domestic Supply Falls Short
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) disclosed that 67.66 million barrels of crude were supplied to local refiners between January and August 2025.
However, local refiners had requested 123.48 million barrels for the first half of the year—meaning they received about 45 per cent less than needed.
Despite Nigeria’s crude and condensate production rising to 1.63 million barrels per day in August, much of the output continues to be exported, leaving local refiners short.
Refinery operators have repeatedly complained that producers prefer selling to international buyers who pay in dollars, making local access difficult despite policies such as the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
A Growing Paradox
At 42.13 million barrels in just 10 months, Nigeria’s US crude imports in 2025 are already nearly three times the volume recorded in the same period of 2024—raising questions about sustainability.
The trend underscores a long-standing paradox: Africa’s largest oil producer importing massive volumes of crude to keep its refineries running, even as domestic supply struggles to meet demand.
If current import levels persist, Nigeria’s full-year US crude imports could climb significantly higher, further reshaping the country’s oil trade dynamics.
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