Trade between the United Kingdom and Nigeria reached £8.1 billion in the year leading up to Q3 2025, marking an 11.4% increase from the previous year, according to the latest factsheet from the UK Department for Business and Trade.
UK exports to Nigeria surged to £5.7 billion, while imports from Nigeria totalled £2.4 billion, giving the UK a healthy trade surplus of £3.4 billion with its 36th largest trading partner. Refined oil remains the main UK export to Nigeria, accounting for £1.6 billion—or nearly 70% of total goods exported. Conversely, crude oil continues to dominate Nigerian exports to the UK, valued at £1 billion and representing 60% of total imports from the country. Other notable goods in the exchange include gas, mechanical power generators, and toilet and cleansing preparations.
The services sector also plays a key role in UK-Nigeria trade, with services exports from the UK reaching £3.5 billion, over 61% of total exports to Nigeria. The UK now holds 11.1% of Nigeria’s overall market, including a 23.8% share of the services market.
Regionally, London and the South East remain trade hubs. In 2024, London alone accounted for 34.5% of UK goods exports to Nigeria and 55.3% of imports. The trade is supported by around 3,300 UK VAT-registered businesses exporting to Nigeria.
Investment ties remain steady, with Nigerian foreign direct investment in the UK valued at £492 million by the end of 2024. While specific figures for UK FDI in Nigeria were not disclosed, the overall outlook for economic engagement between the two nations remains positive.
