The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported on July 22, 2025, that the United States has become a net exporter of crude oil to Nigeria, a historic shift for the African oil giant.
Data indicates that U.S. crude exports to Nigeria reached 1.2 million barrels per month in the first half of 2025, surpassing imports of Nigerian crude, which dropped to 800,000 barrels monthly due to declining U.S. demand. This reversal stems from America’s shale oil boom, boosting domestic production to 13.5 million barrels per day, and Nigeria’s struggle to secure adequate local crude for its refineries amid theft and vandalism.
The EIA highlights that Nigeria, traditionally a key U.S. supplier accounting for 10% of imports in 2010, now imports U.S. crude, often lighter grades like West Texas Intermediate, to blend with its heavier Bonny Light.
Critics argue this shift exposes Nigeria’s refining inefficiencies, with the Dangote Refinery relying on 9-10 million barrels monthly from the U.S., as noted by Aliko Dangote. While the EIA presents this as a market evolution, some question whether it masks deeper issues, such as Nigeria’s $3.3 billion annual oil theft losses since 2022, suggesting the country’s energy sovereignty is increasingly compromised by global market dynamics.