Nigeria’s crude oil exports remained the backbone of trade relations with the United Kingdom in 2025, helping total bilateral trade between both countries rise to £7.6 billion, according to newly released figures from the UK Department for Business and Trade.
The latest trade and investment fact sheet showed that crude oil remained Nigeria’s largest export to the UK market during the year under review. The United Kingdom imported crude oil worth approximately £719.2 million from Nigeria, accounting for nearly half of all goods imported from the country.
In addition to crude oil, the UK also imported refined petroleum products valued at £514.3 million and gas exports worth £167.8 million from Nigeria, reinforcing the continued dominance of the energy sector in trade relations between both countries.
Beyond hydrocarbons, Nigerian exports to the UK also included agricultural and industrial products such as coffee, tea, cocoa, and processed fertilisers. Exports of coffee, tea, and cocoa were valued at £17.9 million, while processed fertilisers accounted for £17.2 million.
Overall, total trade in goods and services between Nigeria and the UK increased by 10.8%, equivalent to £737 million, compared to the previous reporting period ending in the fourth quarter of 2024.
UK imports from Nigeria rise above £2 billion
According to the report, total UK imports from Nigeria reached £2.1 billion during the period, representing an 11.3% increase or £216 million year-on-year.
Goods dominated UK imports from Nigeria, accounting for £1.5 billion or 71% of total imports, while services contributed approximately £614 million or 29%.
The report highlighted a strong increase in goods imports from Nigeria, which rose by 18.8% or £238 million. However, imports of services from Nigeria declined slightly by 3.5%, equivalent to £22 million.
UK exports to Nigeria climb to £5.5 billion
On the export side, the United Kingdom exported goods and services worth £5.5 billion to Nigeria, reflecting a 10.5% increase or £521 million compared to the previous year.
Services continued to dominate UK exports to Nigeria, accounting for £3.7 billion or 67.7% of total exports, while goods exports stood at £1.8 billion or 32.3%.
The UK’s largest export category to Nigeria was refined oil products valued at £1.1 billion, representing more than 60% of all goods exports to the Nigerian market.
Other major UK exports included:
- toilet and cleansing products worth £70.2 million,
- textile fabrics valued at £45.7 million,
- general industrial machinery worth £42.2 million,
- and beverages and tobacco products valued at £34.6 million.
UK records £3.3 billion trade surplus
The report further showed that the United Kingdom maintained a substantial trade surplus with Nigeria, which rose to £3.3 billion in 2025 from £3.0 billion recorded in the previous period.
Although the UK’s surplus in goods trade declined slightly to £259 million from £332 million, the services trade surplus expanded significantly to £3.1 billion from £2.7 billion.
According to the UK Department for Business and Trade, the increase in bilateral trade highlights growing commercial ties between both economies despite ongoing global economic uncertainty and energy market volatility.
The report stated that total trade between the UK and Nigeria reached £7.6 billion in the four quarters ending Q4 2025, with exports from the UK totaling £5.5 billion and imports from Nigeria standing at £2.1 billion during the same period.
Analysts say the figures underscore Nigeria’s continued dependence on oil exports for foreign exchange earnings and international trade performance, while also reflecting the growing role of services and manufactured goods within broader UK-Nigeria economic relations.
