In a historic turn of events, the United States has become a net exporter of crude oil to Nigeria for the first time, according to recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The shift occurred in February and March 2025, as refining activities and global trade patterns reshaped oil flows between the two countries.
The U.S. exported 111,000 barrels per day (b/d) of crude to Nigeria in February and 169,000 b/d in March. Over the same period, U.S. imports from Nigeria dropped significantly—from 133,000 b/d in January to just 54,000 b/d in February and 72,000 b/d in March.
Analysts attribute the reversal to a combination of factors. Scheduled maintenance at the Phillips 66 Bayway refinery in New Jersey reduced U.S. demand for imported light, sweet crude, while Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery increased its crude intake to ramp up operations.
“This is the first time the U.S. has sent more crude to Nigeria than it has brought in from the country,” the EIA stated, noting that Nigeria was historically one of the U.S.’s top five crude suppliers prior to the U.S. shale boom in 2011.
Although U.S. exports have temporarily outpaced imports, the balance may shift again. Imports from Nigeria began rising again in April as U.S. refineries returned to full capacity and Dangote’s plant underwent unexpected maintenance.
This development underscores the dynamic nature of global energy markets and highlights Nigeria’s changing role—not just as an exporter, but increasingly as a refining hub and import market.
