The United Kingdom imported £1.02bn worth of refined petroleum products from Nigeria in the 12 months ending June 2026.
The figure highlights a major shift in trade between both countries as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery increases Nigeria’s capacity to export processed fuel.
According to the UK government’s Trade and Investment Factsheet, released on November 6, refined petroleum products accounted for 53.5 per cent of Britain’s total merchandise imports from Nigeria.
Imports of Nigerian refined petroleum rose by more than 100 per cent compared with the previous 12-month period ending June 2025. The products also became the largest category of Nigerian goods purchased by the UK.
The development comes as the Dangote Refinery expands its role in international petroleum markets. The facility has a stated processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
Crude Oil Exports to UK Decline
While refined petroleum exports increased, Britain’s crude oil imports from Nigeria fell by 56.2 per cent to £550.3m.
Crude oil represented 28.9 per cent of the UK’s total merchandise imports from Nigeria during the period.
The value of refined petroleum exports was approximately 85 per cent higher than crude oil exports, creating a difference of £467m.
Combined, refined petroleum and crude oil accounted for £1.57bn, representing 82.4 per cent of Britain’s merchandise imports from Nigeria.
Other Nigerian products purchased by the UK included gas worth £179.5m. This represented 9.4 per cent of imports and a seven per cent increase.
Coffee, tea and cocoa products generated £40.3m, recording growth of more than 100 per cent. Beverages and tobacco contributed another £30m, rising by 24.2 per cent.
Overall, Nigeria’s merchandise exports to Britain reached approximately £1.9bn. This represented a 10.4 per cent increase, or £180m, compared with the preceding 12 months.
UK Fuel Exports to Nigeria Also Fall
Despite buying more refined petroleum from Nigeria, Britain continued exporting fuel to the country.
UK refined petroleum exports to Nigeria stood at £772.3m during the period. The figure represented 51.5 per cent of Britain’s total merchandise exports to Nigeria.
However, the value declined by 42.7 per cent compared with the year ending June 2025. It fell from an estimated £1.35bn, representing a reduction of approximately £575.5m.
Based on the reported figures, Nigeria recorded a refined petroleum trade surplus of about £245m with the UK.
Nigeria’s Petroleum Exports Record Growth
The United States Energy Information Administration reported a significant increase in Nigeria’s seaborne petroleum product exports.
In an August report, the agency said exports had increased sevenfold since 2023. It attributed the growth partly to increased domestic supply from the Dangote Refinery.
Nigeria’s seaborne petroleum exports averaged 350,000 barrels per day in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 46,000 barrels per day in 2023.
Exports to Europe also increased to 130,000 barrels per day, up from 40,000 barrels per day in 2025.
The figures point to a changing energy trade relationship. Nigeria is increasingly supplying refined products to international markets while reducing its dependence on imported fuel.
