US Tariffs on Imports from Nigeria

Nigeria saw its tariff rate drop from 14% (IEEPA) to 10% (Section 122) following the Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling on Feb 20, 2026 — a 4-point reduction. US imports from Nigeria total approximately $6B annually, still heavily concentrated in crude oil (which enters at 0% MFN duty), though non-oil diversification efforts in cocoa, sesame, and cashews are slowly expanding the trade profile. AGOA preferences remain available for qualifying products.

Nigeria is Africa's largest economy and a significant oil exporter, though US imports of Nigerian crude have declined substantially as US domestic production has surged and Nigerian production has faced its own output challenges. Nigeria benefits from AGOA preferences on eligible products, though AGOA's authorization is under congressional review. There is no bilateral FTA. Nigeria's non-oil exports to the US are relatively small but include cocoa (Nigeria is the world's fourth-largest producer), rubber, sesame seeds, and cashew nuts. The government's non-oil export diversification strategy is a key policy priority but progress has been gradual.

Key Products Imported from Nigeria

Top imports include crude oil (entering at 0% MFN duty), cocoa and cocoa products (Nigeria is the world's fourth-largest cocoa producer), rubber, sesame seeds, and cashew nuts. Nigeria is Africa's largest crude oil producer, though its share of US oil imports has declined significantly as US shale production has grown and Nigerian output has faced operational challenges. Non-oil exports are growing under government diversification programs but remain a small fraction of total trade.

Recent Changes

Feb 20, 2026: Supreme Court struck down IEEPA tariffs 6-3; Nigeria's rate dropped from 14% to 10% under Section 122 authority (effective Feb 24, expires ~July 24, 2026). A 4-point reduction, modest compared to other African nations but still meaningful for non-oil exports. Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs of 50% remain. AGOA eligibility provides preferential access for qualifying non-oil products (cocoa, sesame, cashews), but AGOA's authorization is under congressional review and renewal is not guaranteed. Nigerian crude oil imports to the US have continued declining. Non-oil diversification efforts are ongoing but gradual.

Tips for Importers

Crude oil enters at 0% MFN duty, so the 10% Section 122 tariff is the only layer on Nigeria's primary export — a modest reduction from the old 14% IEEPA rate. Check AGOA eligibility for non-oil products such as cocoa, rubber, sesame seeds, and cashew nuts — AGOA can eliminate MFN duties on qualifying products, stacking favorably with the lower Section 122 rate. For cocoa imports, compare Nigerian pricing with Ghanaian and Ivorian alternatives (all now at 10% Section 122). Monitor AGOA renewal closely — its expiration would remove preferential MFN treatment and undermine Nigeria's non-oil export diversification strategy. With Section 122 set to expire ~July 24, 2026, the tariff landscape for Nigerian goods could shift significantly in the second half of 2026.