Nigeria’s exports to the United States fell to $379 million in the first half of 2025, down from $639 million during the same period last year, highlighting ongoing pressures on the country’s trade balance. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau, reported by BusinessDay Nigeria, showed that despite the decline in Nigerian exports, America continued to record a surplus in bilateral trade.
Energy products, which traditionally dominate Nigeria’s exports, have been particularly hit by fluctuating global oil prices and declining crude shipments. Analysts noted in Reuters that while U.S. demand for Nigerian crude has waned, American exports of machinery, vehicles, and refined products to Nigeria have remained strong, tilting the trade in Washington’s favor.
Trade experts told Financial Times that Nigeria’s widening gap reflects structural weaknesses, including overreliance on crude oil and limited diversification of its export base. Non-oil exports such as agricultural produce and manufactured goods remain underdeveloped, despite government programs to boost competitiveness.
Meanwhile, U.S. companies have continued to deepen their footprint in Nigeria, exporting higher-value goods and services. Market watchers highlighted in Bloomberg that this has further entrenched the surplus position, with Nigeria paying more for imports than it earns from sales abroad.
The trade imbalance underscores Nigeria’s urgent need to diversify exports, attract investment into non-oil sectors, and strengthen its global competitiveness, experts argue.
