Nigeria has earned $2.21 billion from crude oil exports to the United States in the first seven months of 2025, according to data released by the US Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
This figure underscores Nigeria’s continued role as America’s largest African crude supplier, despite a decline in shipments compared to last year.
Between January and July 2025, Nigeria shipped 28.7 million barrels of crude oil to the United States, valued at $2.16 billion on a customs basis and $2.21 billion on a Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) basis. This represents an 8.8% drop in volume and a 22% decline in dollar value compared to the same period in 2024.
The data reveals sharp monthly fluctuations in Nigeria’s crude oil exports. In June 2025, Nigeria shipped 6.95 million barrels, valued at $484 million (customs) and $496 million (CIF). However, exports fell steeply to just 4.4 million barrels in July, with corresponding values of $328 million and $336 million.
Nigeria’s crude oil exports to the US have faced stiff competition from other suppliers, and the country’s earnings have been affected by volatile global oil prices and logistical challenges. Despite this, Nigeria remains America’s top African crude supplier, contributing more than half of the total African crude exports to the US, which reached $3.82 billion in the first seven months of 2025.
The declining earnings pose fiscal risks for Nigeria, given its dependence on crude oil for foreign exchange and government revenue. Economists stress the urgent need for Nigeria to diversify its export base beyond crude oil to mitigate the impact of falling crude revenues.
