Nigeria imported goods worth N11.01 trillion from China in the first half of 2026, accounting for nearly 40% of the nation’s total imports, according to new data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The surge underscores China’s dominance in Nigeria’s trade landscape, even as regulators and industry leaders raise alarms over counterfeit products linked to Chinese networks.
Imports from China grew from N5.10 trillion in Q1 to N5.92 trillion in Q2, representing 39.27% of Nigeria’s N28.04 trillion total imports between January and June. By contrast, Nigeria’s overall import bill fell by 15.37% year-on-year, dropping from N33.14 trillion in H1 2025 to N28.04 trillion in H1 2026. China’s share of imports jumped more than 10 percentage points, from 29.03% in H1 2025 to 39.27% in H1 2026. In Q2 alone, China supplied six times more goods than the United States, which accounted for just 6.97% of imports.
Chinese goods remain vital across multiple industries, including telecommunications equipment worth N158.73bn, herbicides and seed-cleaning machinery valued at N128.88bn and N126.45bn respectively, solar panels worth N184.02bn, and heavy machinery for construction and oil pipelines. Manufactured goods imports hit N18 trillion in H1 2026, making up 64.16% of Nigeria’s total import bill.
Nigeria exported just N1.09 trillion worth of goods to China in the same period, leaving a staggering N9.92 trillion trade deficit. For every N1 exported, Nigeria imported N10.11 worth of goods. Exports to China represented only 2.26% of Nigeria’s N48.19 trillion total exports.
The growing reliance on Chinese imports coincides with mounting concerns over counterfeit goods. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says Chinese-linked counterfeiters are now operating within Nigeria, replicating popular products and using logistics firms to distribute fake items. NAFDAC has shut down several logistics companies allegedly tied to these networks and reported 64 convictions between June 2025 and June 2026. Since 2023, the agency has destroyed or seized more than N1.54 trillion worth of fake and substandard products.
Business leaders warn that counterfeit goods are devastating the economy. Peter Popoola, Vice Chairman of the Lagos Chapter of the National Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), described counterfeiting as “evil” and destructive to lives, property and investment. “When the original wire sells for N2,000 and the fake sells for N1,000, people go for the fake one. In a month, the wire cuts,” he said. Popoola blamed the cycle on weak political will, corruption and poverty, noting that many consumers knowingly choose fake goods because they are cheaper. He called for government-backed grants, low-interest credit facilities, and consumer credit schemes to support genuine manufacturers and make quality products more affordable.
Meanwhile, Duro Kuteyi, Chief Executive Officer of Spectra Industries Limited, said shrinking household incomes were pushing Nigerians toward counterfeit goods. “There is not much money in the pocket, so everybody is looking for cheap items, and that is where counterfeiters gain access to the market,” he explained. The manufacturer urged consumers to be vigilant, citing tell-tale signs such as poorly positioned labels and soft drinks without gas.
