Refined Petroleum Products Surpass Crude Oil As U.K.’s Biggest Goods Import From Nigeria An Historic Change In The Trade Relationship Between The Two Countries
According to figures from the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, refined goods made up 47.5 percent of British goods imports from Nigeria in the 12 months to March 2026.
During the period, the UK spent £674.5 million on refined petroleum products from Nigeria, compared with £438.9 million on crude oil.
Historically, crude oil has been one of Nigeria’s main exports to Britain, but it now accounts for only 30.9 per cent of products the UK purchases from Nigeria. Natural gas was third at £179.3 million, or 12.6 per cent.
The change was mostly due to a dramatic decrease in British imports of Nigerian crude, which fell 64.3 percent over the previous 12 months. Meanwhile, natural gas imports jumped 6.9 percent.
The UK Office for National Statistics does not provide percentage changes when growth is above 100 percent from a low base, hence the growth rate for refined oil imports was not reported.
The changing trade mix comes as Africa’s largest refinery, Dangote Refinery, has quickly increased export capacity.
The 650,000 barrels-per-day facility has become a major supplier of refined products to European markets with energy analysts saying that 20 percent of the UK’s purchases of jet fuel now originate from Dangote.
The strategic Atlantic location of the refinery and Nigeria’s expanding operations have turned it into an increasingly important supplier in Europe’s shifting fuel market.
“In the period, refined petroleum products were the dominant trade in both directions, interestingly.
The UK sold £725.6 million worth of refined fuel to Nigeria, despite Nigeria supplying the same category of products to Britain worth £674.5 million, making refined fuel Britain’s largest goods export to Nigeria and accounting for 51.2 percent of overall UK goods exports to Nigeria.
But the figure was down 44.7 percent from a year earlier.
The latest numbers indicate a broader realignment in Nigeria-UK merchandise trade, with refined items gaining importance as crude oil’s contribution to the relationship diminishes.
The move follows efforts by both countries to deepen business ties following President Bola Tinubu’s State Visit in March 2026, when agreements were inked concerning commerce, migration and border security.
Total commerce in goods and services was £7.3 billion in the four quarters to March 2026, down 3.4 per cent on the same period a year earlier.
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