U.S. Records $576 Million Trade Surplus with Nigeria Amid Tariff Pressures
The United States has reported a $576 million trade surplus with Nigeria in the first half of 2025, a significant turnaround from the deficit recorded in the same period last year.
The latest figures underscore shifting trade patterns between the two nations, shaped by stronger American exports and declining Nigerian shipments, particularly in the oil sector, against the backdrop of ongoing global tariff pressures.
According to newly released U.S. trade data, exports from America to Nigeria rose sharply by over 40 percent, reaching $3.34 billion between January and June this year.
The growth was driven by a surge in demand for U.S. machinery, refined petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural inputs. At the same time, Nigerian exports to the U.S. declined by about 12 percent, dropping to $2.76 billion, mainly due to weaker crude oil deliveries and reduced non-oil inflows.
This swing in trade flows produced a surplus for Washington of $576 million, compared with a $779 million deficit in the first half of 2024.
The turnaround comes at a time when global trade is grappling with heightened tariff measures introduced by major economies, including the United States.
These policies have had a dampening effect on international commodity prices and have further weakened Nigeria’s earnings from crude oil, its primary export. In April, the Central Bank of Nigeria was forced to intervene in the foreign exchange market to stabilize the naira following tariff-related shocks, underscoring the vulnerability of the country’s oil-dependent economy.
Energy trade flows have also taken on unusual patterns this year. In the early months of 2025, the United States briefly became a net exporter of crude oil to Nigeria, an extraordinary development driven by American refinery maintenance schedules and shifting domestic demand linked to Nigeria’s Dangote refinery.
Though temporary, the reversal highlighted the extent to which logistical and refinery-related factors can alter the monthly trade balance between the two countries.
Beyond goods, the U.S. continues to enjoy a substantial advantage in services trade with Nigeria. Data from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative show that in 2024, the U.S. posted a $1.7 billion services surplus, supported by strong exports in finance, technology, and professional services.
This trend has further reinforced America’s favorable position in its overall economic relationship with Nigeria.
Trade experts say the changing balance reflects both sides of the economic divide: a surge in American shipments of industrial and consumer goods into Nigeria, and a reduction in Nigeria’s capacity to sustain oil exports amid fluctuating global prices. The impact of tariff policies has compounded these shifts, placing additional strain on Nigeria’s trade outlook while giving U.S. exporters a competitive edge in sectors where Nigerian demand remains high.
Looking ahead, analysts caution that the U.S. surplus may not remain consistent throughout the year. Seasonal fluctuations in oil demand, the production pace at the Dangote refinery, and the possibility of further tariff adjustments could alter the trajectory of trade in the months ahead. For Nigeria, the new figures highlight the urgent need to diversify its export base beyond crude oil and to tackle the logistical hurdles that continue to hamper competitiveness in the U.S. market. For American businesses, however, the current climate presents an opportunity to consolidate their presence in Nigeria, particularly in the healthcare, industrial, and agricultural sectors, where demand remains strong despite economic headwinds.
In the meantime, the first-half results mark a notable shift in U.S.-Nigeria trade relations. What was once a deficit for Washington has now become a surplus, reflecting a broader rebalancing of trade flows shaped by global tariffs, shifting energy dynamics, and the enduring strength of American exports.
