The Digest: The United States reduced its purchase of Nigerian crude oil sharply in January 2026, with imports dropping by about 47.16 percent month-on-month to 1.664 million barrels, down from 3.149 million barrels in December 2025. In value terms, customs value declined from $217.36 million to $115.99 million. The contraction came amid a broader slowdown in total U.S. crude imports, while Nigeria lost ground to African peers as Angola recorded a sharp increase and Ghana emerged as a new supplier. Nigerian crude accounted for about 0.88 percent of total U.S. crude imports in January, down from 1.59 percent in December.
Key Points:
- Nigerian crude imports to the US fell by 1.485 million barrels within one month.
- Angola's exports to the US rose from 575,000 barrels in December to 2.062 million barrels in January.
- Ghana emerged as a new supplier with 738,000 barrels, having recorded no measurable exports in December.
- Total U.S. imports from Nigeria fell from $297 million in December to $183 million in January.
- The decline occurred despite Nigeria's crude production rising from 1.55 million barrels per day in December to 1.64 million in January.
Sources: The Punch
