UK now buys more refined fuel than crude oil from Nigeria, data shows

Nigeria's petroleum trade with the United Kingdom has shifted sharply towards refined fuel, according to UK government figures.
The figures
The UK's trade and investment factsheet, released on 6 November 2026 and reported this weekend, shows Britain bought £1.02 billion worth of refined petroleum products from Nigeria in the 12 months to June 2026. That was more than double the figure a year earlier and made up 53.5 per cent of all UK goods imports from Nigeria. Over the same period, UK purchases of Nigerian crude oil fell by 56.2 per cent to £550.3 million, meaning refined fuel exports exceeded crude shipments by about £467 million. Nigeria recorded a petroleum trade surplus of about £245 million with Britain.
Why it matters
The change reflects the growth of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos, which can process 650,000 barrels a day and has been expanding its exports.
Background
The government has also announced plans for a new NNPC refinery in Edo State.
- UK bought £1.02bn of Nigerian refined fuel.
- Crude oil purchases fell by 56%.
- The shift reflects Dangote Refinery's exports.