US new data shows Nigeria’s crude imports jumped 101% in early 2025 as refineries struggle with local supply gaps and turn increasingly to American barrels.
Nigeria’s crude oil imports from the United States surged sharply in the first eight months of 2025, more than doubling from the previous year as the country leaned heavily on foreign supply to stabilize its refining system, according to new figures from the US Energy Information Administration.
The data shows Nigeria imported 31.69 million barrels between February and August 2025, up from 15.79 million barrels in the same period of 2024. The 101 per cent increase underscores the scale of the supply shortfall facing domestic refiners, despite government efforts to boost local crude allocation.
The largest jump occurred in June 2025, when imports skyrocketed to 9.16 million barrels—an eightfold increase compared with June 2024. Strong inflows were also recorded in March, May and April, while February remained the only month with a year-on-year decline. The EIA released no comparable data for August 2024, though August 2025 recorded 4.17 million barrels.
The renewed dependence on American light sweet crude comes at a time when Nigeria’s refining sector is undergoing its most significant transition in decades. The Dangote Refinery, which many hoped would cut the country’s reliance on imported fuel, has continued to draw heavily from US suppliers as it ramps up its operations. Analysts note that US grades are better suited to its processing configuration and have become a reliable option as domestic supply remains inconsistent.
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Industry data reveals that the refinery imported an average of 10 million barrels in July 2025 alone, with US crude accounting for about 60 per cent of its feedstock that month. Nigerian grades—once expected to dominate its intake—made up the remaining 40 per cent, reflecting ongoing difficulties in securing adequate local volumes.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission confirmed that 67.7 million barrels were delivered to local refineries between January and August 2025, under the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation. However, refiners had requested more than 123 million barrels for the first half of the year, leaving a supply gap of about 46 per cent.
Refinery operators have repeatedly complained that producers favor international buyers who pay in US dollars, making it harder for domestic facilities to secure crude under local currency arrangements. Although Nigeria’s crude and condensate production reached 1.63 million barrels per day in August, much of it continued flowing to export markets.
The sharp rise in US imports highlights a deeper structural issue: Africa’s largest oil producer still relies heavily on foreign supply to operate its refineries. Even with major new capacity coming online, bridging the gap between production, allocation, and refinery demand remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing energy challenges.