** Trade between the United Kingdom and Nigeria reached £7.3 billion, the British High Commission in Abuja has said, as both countries seek to deepen their economic and strategic partnership. British High Commissioner Pete Vowles disclosed the figure at a reception in Abuja marking the 78th birthday of King Charles III. The figure covers total trade in goods and services in the four quarters to the end of March 2026. [The Gazelle News](https://www.thegazellenews.com/uk-nigeria-trade-hits-7-3bn-as-britain-seeks-deeper-strategic-partnership/)

A smaller total, but a bigger surplus

The headline figure comes with a softer undertone. Total trade fell by 3.4 per cent, or £258 million, compared with the previous year, according to the UK Department for Business and Trade factsheet. UK exports to Nigeria slipped 0.9 per cent to £5.3 billion, while imports from Nigeria fell 9.3 per cent to £2 billion, leaving the UK with a trade surplus of £3.3 billion. [NG Morning Report](https://www.ngmorningreport.com/p/uk-nigeria-trade-hits-73-billion)

Refined fuel overtakes crude

The make-up of the trade has shifted sharply. Refined petroleum products overtook crude oil as Nigeria's biggest goods export to the UK, accounting for 47.5 per cent of UK goods imports from Nigeria, worth £674.5 million. Nigeria remained the UK's 38th-largest trading partner, accounting for 0.4 per cent of total UK trade.

What the partnership covers

Vowles said the relationship was moving beyond traditional diplomacy into new economic opportunities, under the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership and the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership. The framework covers trade and investment, education, defence and security, migration and development. The renewed emphasis follows President Bola Tinubu's state visit to the UK in March, which the High Commission described as a significant milestone, and a first British trade and investment mission to Nigeria since that visit.