The United Kingdom imported refined petroleum products worth £1.02bn from Nigeria in the 12 months ending June 2026, marking a significant shift in the two countries' energy trade relationship.

The figures, contained in the UK Government's Trade and Investment Factsheet released on November 6, 2026, showed that refined petroleum products accounted for 53.5 per cent of Britain's total merchandise imports from Nigeria during the period.

Imports of refined petroleum products increased by more than 100 per cent compared with the corresponding 12 months ending June 2025, making them the largest category of Nigerian goods purchased by the UK.

The development comes amid the expansion of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which has a stated processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day and has increased its participation in international petroleum markets.

In contrast, British imports of Nigerian crude oil declined by 56.2 per cent to £550.3m, representing 28.9 per cent of total merchandise imports from the country.

Consequently, refined petroleum exports were approximately 85 per cent higher in value than crude oil exports, with a difference of £467m.

Combined, crude oil and refined petroleum products accounted for approximately £1.57bn, representing 82.4 per cent of Britain's total merchandise imports from Nigeria.

Other major Nigerian exports to the UK included gas valued at £179.5m, representing 9.4 per cent of total imports and an increase of seven per cent.

Coffee, tea and cocoa products contributed £40.3m, recording growth of more than 100 per cent, while beverages and tobacco accounted for £30m, representing an increase of 24.2 per cent.

Overall, Nigeria's merchandise exports to Britain reached approximately £1.9bn during the period, rising by 10.4 per cent, or £180m, compared with the preceding 12 months.

Despite the growth in Nigerian refined petroleum exports, Britain continued supplying petroleum products to the country, although the value of those exports declined considerably.

UK exports of refined petroleum products to Nigeria stood at £772.3m, accounting for 51.5 per cent of Britain's total merchandise exports to the country.

However, the figure represented a 42.7 per cent decline from the corresponding period ending June 2025, when exports were estimated at £1.35bn.

Based on the reported figures, Nigeria recorded a refined petroleum trade surplus of approximately £245m with Britain.

The changing trade pattern reflects the growing contribution of domestic refining to Nigeria's petroleum exports, a sector historically dominated by crude oil sales while the country relied heavily on imported refined products.

The United States Energy Information Administration also highlighted the development in a report published in August 2026, noting that Nigeria's seaborne petroleum product exports had increased sevenfold since 2023.

According to the agency, Nigeria's seaborne petroleum exports averaged 350,000 barrels per day in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 46,000 barrels daily in 2023.

Exports to Europe also increased to 130,000 barrels per day, up from 40,000 barrels daily in 2025.

The agency attributed the growth to increased domestic petroleum production, noting that rising supplies from Nigeria's largest refinery had reduced imports, boosted exports and improved the country's self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products.