Data from the 2023 Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) has revealed that Nigeria imported goods worth a staggering $3.38 billion from the United States — with one of the unexpected items on the list being food waste.
According to the data, Nigeria’s top imports from the U.S. included vehicles, mineral fuels, machinery, and cereals. Specifically, the country spent $2.34 billion on imported vehicles alone, making it by far the largest category. This was followed by $330.88 million worth of mineral fuels and oil distillation products, and $243.83 million in machinery, including nuclear reactors and boilers.
Cereals, mostly wheat, were another significant import category, totaling $207.49 million — a reflection of Nigeria’s continued reliance on food imports despite domestic agricultural programs.
However, what has raised eyebrows is the inclusion of “food waste” and animal feed among the notable imports from the United States. While the category may include industrial animal feed and agricultural byproducts, its classification under “food waste” has prompted questions about Nigeria’s trade priorities, especially in a country battling food insecurity and high inflation.
Other notable U.S. exports to Nigeria in 2023 included artificial flowers, fertilizers, agricultural products like spices, cocoa beans, tea, and tree nuts.
Meanwhile, U.S. exports to Nigeria totaled about $3 billion in 2023, with refined petroleum and wheat making up a large portion. That figure rose sharply in 2024 to $4.2 billion — a 61.4% increase year-on-year.
In return, U.S. goods imports from Nigeria slightly increased by 0.1% to $5.7 billion in 2024, resulting in a U.S. trade deficit with Nigeria of $1.5 billion — a notable 50.9% decrease compared to 2023.
Tariff tensions also featured in the trade narrative. Nigeria maintains a 27% tariff on U.S. goods. In retaliation, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration imposed a 14% tariff on Nigerian exports, citing currency manipulation and trade barriers.
The data paints a complex picture of the Nigeria-U.S. trade relationship — one marked by heavy vehicle imports, growing reliance on American cereals and machinery, and surprisingly, an appetite for U.S. food byproducts.
