In response to the U.S. President Donald Trump’s 14 percent tariff on Nigerian exports, Nigeria has pledged to respond with a balanced and strategic approach.
According to the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, stated that Nigeria plans to transform both the global and regional trade policy challenges into opportunities to expand its non-oil and strengthen a more resilient economy.
The Trump administration claims that Nigeria currently imposes a 27 per cent tariff on U.S exports, a trade imbalance that has long been negative to American business and Consumers. In retaliation, the U.S introduced a new tariff on Nigerian exports to correct what they view as an unfair trade set up.
Dr. Jumoke acknowledged that although oil has traditionally dominated Nigeria’s exports to the U.S., non-oil products which previously enjoyed duty-free access under AGOA could now face significant disruption.
In her statement, Oduwole stated that the newly imposed 10% tariff on key export categories may reduce the competitiveness of Nigerian products in the U.S. market. She added that Nigeria’s exports to the U.S. have remained steady at between $5 billion and $6 billion annually over the past two years, with crude petroleum, mineral fuels, oils, and gas products accounting for over 90% of that trade.
According to her , “The second-largest export category, accounting for approximately 2–3%, includes fertilizers and urea, followed by lead, representing around 1% of total exports (valued at approx $82 million),” She added, “Nigeria also exports smaller quantities of agricultural products such as live plants, flour, and nuts, which account for less than 2% of our total exports to the U.S.”
She further stated that the new measures present significant challenges for businesses in the non oil sector disrupting price competitiveness and market access particularly in emerging and value added sectors important to Nigeria diversification efforts.
On the potential impact of the tariff, she noted “SMEs building their business models around AGOA exemptions will face the pressures of rising costs and uncertain buyer commitments.“This development strengthens Nigeria’s resolve to boost its non-oil exports by strengthening quality assurance, control, and traceability in Nigerian exports to meet global standards and improve market acceptance into more economies across the globe.
The minister highlighted that the newly imposed tariffs signal an urgent need for Africa, particularly Nigeria, to strengthen intra-African trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). She emphasized that this development reinforces the importance of accelerating Nigeria’s implementation of the AfCFTA, deepening regional integration, and utilizing platforms like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to reduce trade costs and boost trade across the continent.
She stated that, “The Federal Government of Nigeria considers the United States a valued trade and investment partner, bound by shared values and mutual economic interests,” Oduwole also referenced the U.S. Ambassador’s visit to the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment on March 26, 2025, saying it reaffirmed a mutual commitment to strengthening economic ties between both nations.
“In response to the recent tariff announcements, Nigeria remains actively engaged in consultations with U.S. counterparts and the WTO, approaching evolving trade dynamics with pragmatism and a commitment to mutually beneficial solutions,” she added.
