The latest Trade and Investment Factsheet released by the UK Department for Business and Trade showed that Nigeria imported £1.1 billion worth of refined oil from the United Kingdom in the 12 months ended December 2025.
During the period under review, refined oil remained the dominant UK export to Nigeria, accounting for 60.5 percent of all goods exported from the UK to the country.
The report also showed that the value of refined oil exports to Nigeria increased by 9.4 per cent compared with the preceding year, highlighting sustained demand for imported fuel products even as Nigeria ramps up local refining operations.
The development comes amid efforts by the Federal Government to reduce reliance on imported petroleum products through increased local refining output, including supplies from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the rehabilitation of state-owned refineries.
A breakdown of UK exports to Nigeria revealed that the second-largest export category from the UK to Nigeria was toilet and cleansing preparations, valued at £70.2 million and accounting for just 4.0 per cent of total goods exports.
Textile fabrics followed at £45.7 million, while general industrial machinery and beverages and tobacco contributed £42.2 million and £34.6 million respectively.
Overall, UK goods exports to Nigeria stood at £1.8 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q4 2025, meaning refined oil contributed roughly three out of every five pounds earned from British goods sold to Nigeria.
