Nigeria imported motor vehicles and automotive parts worth $602m from the United States between January and May 2026, marking a 41.3 per cent increase from the $426m recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis have shown.

The figures showed that passenger cars accounted for the largest share of exports to Nigeria during the five-month period. A breakdown of the data showed that U.S. exports of passenger cars to Nigeria rose to $454m in the first five months of 2026 from $312m in the corresponding period of 2025, representing an increase of 45.5 per cent.

Exports of automotive parts also increased to $122m from $86m, indicating a 41.9 per cent year-on-year rise. However, exports of trucks, buses and special-purpose vehicles declined by 10.3 per cent to $26m from $29m recorded in the same period last year.

On a monthly basis, Nigeria imported $124m worth of motor vehicles and parts from the U.S. in May 2026, slightly lower than the $131m recorded in April.

Passenger car imports declined to $93m in May from $98m in April, while imports of trucks, buses and special-purpose vehicles fell marginally to $6m from $7m. Automotive parts imports remained unchanged at $26m in both months.

Compared with May 2025, however, total imports rose by 30.5 per cent from $95m to $124m. Passenger car imports increased by 32.9 per cent from $70m in May 2025 to $93m in May 2026, while automotive parts imports rose by 36.8 per cent from $19m to $26m. Imports of trucks, buses and special-purpose vehicles declined slightly from $7m to $6m over the same period.

The report also showed that total U.S. exports of motor vehicles and parts to all countries stood at $66.08bn in the first five months of 2026, compared with $69.32bn in the corresponding period of 2025, representing a 4.7 per cent decline.

Passenger car exports fell to $19.52bn from $22.04bn year-on-year, while exports of trucks, buses and special-purpose vehicles edged up marginally to $10.99bn from $10.94bn.

Automotive parts remained the largest export segment, although shipments declined to $35.56bn from $36.33bn in the same period of 2025.

Canada remained the largest destination for U.S. automotive exports during the period, receiving $24.70bn worth of vehicles and parts, followed by Mexico with $16.83bn and Germany with $3.72bn.

Among African countries listed in the report, Nigeria recorded the highest value of U.S. automotive imports at $602m, ahead of South Africa, which imported $313m worth of vehicles and parts during the first five months of 2026.

The PUNCH recently reported that the Nigerian Ports Authority stated that the total number of vehicles handled in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2026 rose to 58,870 units from 35,262 units recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, representing a 67 per cent increase.

The NPA disclosed this in its Q1 2026 Operational Performance Review. “Vehicle traffic also emerged as a major growth area, with total vehicle units handled rising sharply by 67 per cent to 58,870 units during the quarter, compared to 35,262 units in the same period last year,” the NPA said.

Analysts say the figures reflect renewed confidence among importers as exchange rate volatility eased and access to foreign exchange improved, even though vehicle prices remain high.