Nigeria spent N1.19 trillion importing crude oil in the first quarter of 2025, making it the third most imported commodity in the country during the period, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
This is despite Nigeria being Africa’s top oil producer, a contradiction driven by weak domestic supply to local refineries.
The NBS disclosed the figures in its Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics report for Q1 2025.
The imported crude oil—listed as “Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude”—accounted for 7.7% of total imports. It trailed only gas oil, which cost Nigeria N1.83 trillion, and motor spirit (PMS), valued at N1.76 trillion.
The report highlights a growing reliance on imported feedstock as domestic crude allocation to refineries remains inconsistent, pushing operators to turn to more reliable and commercially viable sources abroad.
U.S. supplies majority of Nigeria’s imported crude
- The United States emerged as the largest source of crude oil imports into Nigeria, supplying N726.84 billion worth of the product, roughly 61% of the total crude imported in Q1 2025.
- Angola and Algeria followed with N223.58 billion and N122.37 billion, respectively.
- Although the NBS did not name the receiving refineries, the trend reflects a broader industry challenge.
- Even large-scale facilities such as the Dangote Refinery, alongside modular refineries, are sourcing crude internationally due to the failure of policies like the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation and the Domestic Crude Refining Requirement, which were designed to ensure local supply to indigenous processors.
What you should know
In total, Nigeria spent N4.78 trillion on the importation of petroleum products—including gas oil, PMS, and crude oil—accounting for over 30% of the country’s total import bill. Aggregate imports stood at N15.43 trillion in the first quarter, a 4.59% increase from Q1 2024, but 7.02% lower than Q4 2024.
- Mineral fuels remained Nigeria’s most imported category, with a combined value of N4.97 trillion, representing 32.23% of total imports. The United States ranked as Nigeria’s third-largest import partner during the quarter, with total trade valued at N1.42 trillion, more than half of which came from crude oil exports to Nigeria.
- At the same time, Nigeria exported N12.96 trillion worth of crude oil and petroleum products, equivalent to 62.89% of total exports in Q1 2025. Crude oil exports declined by 16.35% year-on-year and 6.01% quarter-on-quarter but remained Nigeria’s dominant export commodity, ahead of liquefied natural gas, urea, and cocoa beans.
- Top destinations for Nigerian crude during the quarter were India, the Netherlands, the United States, France, and Spain, highlighting Nigeria’s continued dependence on foreign demand to sustain export revenues—even as domestic refineries grapple with shortages.
The mismatch between abundant local production and the lack of local utilisation continues to cast doubt on Nigeria’s refining self-sufficiency ambitions and the effectiveness of its downstream oil sector reforms.
My payment process of the previous ones where I suppose to be paid as it passmany which am still being around please contact me soon
As a genuine citizen of Nigeria I am confused with the current position of our crude oil import. I was earlier happy when Dangote Refinery was commissioned thinking in my mind that a Messiah has come to brighten the crude oil supply in the country. But what I am seen now confuses my mind. The issues with the NNPC is understandable because of politics and the I don’t care attitude of the management of the organization. My joy has been thwarted by what is at stake when Dangote Refinery has to depend on the importation of crude oil to maintain its huge investment in crude oil production. Why venturing into such a huge investments at the expense of the Nigerian foreign exchange. I was expecting a reverse of what is on-going now with this huge investments. I expect Dangote Refinery to show a laudable example to the NNPC by making finished product available to the populace and at a reasonable price. Let Nigerians see a remarkable change, particularly with the presence of Dangote Refinery in the economy. We cross our hands and are watchful of a turn-around of events that would put smiles on our faces soon. What we are experiencing now is unacceptable to the average Nigerians with special reference to the motorists. I am convinced, Alhaji Dangote’s genuine interest is to build a profitable business that will add value to the Nigerian economy. He should remain focus towards the realization of his objectives and work hard toward achieving it. To be honest, I respect his desire to establish such a big project in a developing country such as Nigeria. He should not allow the undue influence emanating from the NNPC and the politicians to distract his good intensions. His original motive should play a major role in deciding what steps to take in order to satisfy the Nigerian populace and his own personal attributes. Conclusively, let the Federal Government boldly come out with a genuine plan that will guide large-scale investors like Dangote Refineries. It is an enviable attempt worthy of emulation in order to transform our reliance on foreign importation.
Mr Josiah, thank you for the detailed comment. I felt obligated to reply as a fellow Nigeria so that we know squarely the people who are against the progress of this nation in making us free of the oppression of high oil prices and attendant inflation. Your right and i commend your objective appraisal of Mr Dangote’s motivation for building the refinery. However, your still not realizing the enormity of the forces and vested interests in that sector of the economy that have been feeding fat for so long and will kill and do anything possible to continue benefiting from these inefficiencies in that sector. Dangote purposefully designed his refinery to be supplied crude oil from offshore vessels independent of the Nigerian market. Normally, a pipeline should have been done that will connect to existing crude oil export infrastructure but the powers that be are frustrating it. Dangote recently had to procure 4000 CNG powered trucks just to solve the last mile distribution issues and ensure price uniformity in the country because IPMAN, PETROAN, and other trade unions whose members smuggle petroluem products across the border and sell on the black market where frustrating him. We need to continue to call out the NNPC and the FG to ensure adequate nigerian crude oil supply at discounted prices to the Dangote refinery so that prices will be brought down and ban the importation of petroluem products into the country to force those vested interests to find another place to continue their chopping. God help us all.