Nigeria imported £1.1 billion worth of refined petroleum products from the United Kingdom in the 12 months ending December 2025, highlighting the country’s continued dependence on foreign fuel supplies despite ongoing efforts to boost domestic refining capacity.
According to the latest Trade and Investment Factsheet released by the UK Department for Business and Trade, refined oil remained the dominant export from the UK to Nigeria during the period, accounting for 60.5 per cent of all goods shipped to the country.
The report showed that the value of refined oil exports increased by 9.4 per cent compared with the previous year, reflecting sustained demand for imported petroleum products even as Nigeria sought to expand local refining output through projects such as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the rehabilitation of state-owned facilities.
A breakdown of UK exports revealed a heavy concentration in petroleum products, with the £1.1 billion worth of refined oil far exceeding all other export categories combined.
The second-largest export category was toilet and cleansing preparations, valued at £70.2 million, representing 4.0 per cent of total UK goods exports to Nigeria.
This was followed by textile fabrics at £45.7 million, general industrial machinery at £42.2 million, and beverages and tobacco at £34.6 million.
Altogether, refined petroleum products alone generated more export earnings for the UK than the combined value of the next four leading export categories to Nigeria.
Overall UK goods exports to Nigeria stood at £1.8 billion in the four quarters ending Q4 2025, meaning refined oil accounted for about three out of every five pounds spent on British goods in the Nigerian market.
The strong demand for fuel products also contributed to broader trade growth between both countries during the review period.
Total UK-Nigeria trade in goods and services rose to £7.6 billion, an increase of 10.8 per cent, or £737 million, compared with the previous year.
UK exports to Nigeria climbed by 10.5 per cent to £5.5 billion, while imports from Nigeria rose by 11.3 per cent to £2.1 billion.
Services remained the largest component of UK exports, accounting for £3.7 billion or 67.7 per cent, while goods exports made up £1.8 billion, or 32.3 per cent.
The UK recorded a trade surplus of £3.3 billion with Nigeria, up from £3.0 billion in the previous year.
Nigeria ranked as the UK’s 38th largest trading partner globally, accounting for 0.4 per cent of total UK trade. It also placed as the UK’s 28th largest export destination and 48th largest import source.
Historical data showed that trade between both countries has steadily increased over the past decade, rising from £6.8 billion in 2024 to £7.6 billion in 2025. UK exports to Nigeria also grew from £4.9 billion to £5.5 billion over the same period.
The UK further strengthened its position in Nigeria’s import market, with its share rising to 10.9 per cent in 2024 from 9.7 per cent in 2023, while its share of Nigeria’s goods imports increased to 5.1 per cent from 4.1 per cent.
The latest figures come as the Nigerian government continues to deepen engagement with British investors and businesses.
The Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), on behalf of the Federal Government, recently met with representatives from 30 UK companies to advance trade and investment agreements reached during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to the UK in March.
The engagement followed the UK’s first trade and investment mission to Nigeria after the visit and was aimed at turning high-level agreements into concrete business opportunities for firms in both countries.
