In May 2025, bilateral trade between the two countries showed signs of rebalancing, with the US enjoying a trade surplus of $115 million.
This shift is due to a 12.3% increase in US exports to Nigeria, reaching $515 million, while imports from Nigeria dropped by 17% to $400 million.
The largest US export to Nigeria, valued at $244 million, up 40.4% year-on-year. US car exports to Nigeria reached $73.3 million, up 40.7% year-on-year and refined petroleum, Valued at $22.5 million.
On the Nigerian side, crude petroleum remains the primary export to the US, accounting for $311 million, followed by refined petroleum ($41.4 million) and cocoa beans ($24.4 million).
Historically, Nigeria has been the US’s top African export partner, with total exports valued at $6.29 billion in 2023, driven largely by crude petroleum.
The bilateral trade between the two countries has grown at an average annual rate of 19% over the past five years.
