Nigeria’s imports from Europe dropped sharply in 2025, signaling a major shift in the country’s global trade direction as Asia and the Americas gained stronger footing. Fresh data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that imports from Europe declined by N5.36tn, falling from N22.80tn in 2024 to N17.44tn in 2025.
This contraction pushed Europe’s share of Nigeria’s total imports down from 37.63 per cent to 25.90 per cent. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s total imports actually increased to N67.35tn, rising by N6.76tn year-on-year. As a result, the figures clearly show that Nigeria is not importing less but sourcing more goods from new global partners.
However, performance across European countries remained mixed. Imports from Germany dipped slightly, while the United Kingdom recorded strong growth. Similarly, the Netherlands and Italy posted significant increases. On the other hand, imports from France and Spain declined sharply, dragging down Europe’s overall contribution.
In contrast, Asia strengthened its dominance as Nigeria’s leading import partner. Imports from the region rose from N29.13tn in 2024 to N34.90tn in 2025. Consequently, Asia’s share climbed to 51.82 per cent, meaning more than half of Nigeria’s imports now come from the region.
Notably, China continues to drive this shift. Imports from China surged by N5.64tn to N19.79tn, accounting for the bulk of Asia’s growth. India also recorded gains, while Japan posted modest growth. Still, imports from other Asian countries declined slightly, indicating that Nigeria’s reliance is increasingly concentrated on a few key economies.
At the same time, imports from the Americas recorded strong expansion. The region’s imports rose by N5.60tn to N11.87tn, with the United States leading the surge. Brazil and Canada also contributed to the growth, reflecting Nigeria’s broader sourcing strategy.
Although Africa’s share remains relatively small, it showed moderate growth. Imports increased to N2.86tn, pushing its share slightly higher.
Economic experts say the trend reflects global realities. Dr Muda Yusuf explained that Asia’s dominance, particularly China’s, aligns with global trade patterns. He noted that Nigerian manufacturers depend heavily on imported raw materials such as chemicals and plastics, which are cheaper to source from Asian markets.
He added that businesses prioritize cost efficiency, even though relying heavily on a single region creates risks. According to him, firms will continue to import from markets that offer competitive pricing and reliable supply chains.
Similarly, industry expert John Aluya described China as the world’s manufacturing hub. He stressed that many countries, including developed economies, depend on Chinese production capacity. He also linked Nigeria’s dependence to weak local processing infrastructure, which limits domestic production.
Meanwhile, financial analyst Johnson Chukwu warned about the risks tied to overdependence on China. He noted that any disruption in China’s supply chain could trigger inflation and economic instability in Nigeria, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite these concerns, China continues to strengthen its economic ties with Nigeria. Chinese Consul General Yan Yuqing recently reaffirmed the country’s commitment to expanding trade relations, highlighting China’s position as Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years.
Overall, the latest data points to a clear structural realignment in Nigeria’s trade patterns. Europe is steadily losing its dominance, while Asia, led by China, is tightening its grip. As this shift accelerates, it is expected to reshape Nigeria’s trade partnerships, supply chains, and long-term economic outlook.
