Foreign
Trump’s tariff threatens $10bn US-Nigeria trade
•Nigeria’s crude revenue may plunge as US begins enforcement Wed, NACCIMA raises concerns
The newly imposed 14 per cent tariff by US President Donald Trump on exports by Nigerian businesses presents a significant risk to the $10bn annual exports to the United States, potentially disrupting key sectors such as oil export and agricultural trade, experts and trade associations concerned about a potential global trade war stated on Thursday.
The economic experts, in separate interviews noted that the policy, which would raise the prices of goods and services for consumers, would weaken the standard of living, slow down manufacturing activities, hinder international trade and consequently weaken demand for Nigerian oil in the US, one of its key markets.
The experts also predicted that Nigeria’s oil earnings were poised for a significant decline following the announcement of the new tariff regime.
National President of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, Sheriff Balogun, stated that since the inception of the African Growth and Opportunity Act in 2000, Nigeria had exported an estimated $277bn worth of goods to the United States, with crude taking the majority.
Nigeria’s exports to the United States currently average between $10bn and $12bn annually, although it has been fluctuating in recent years, according to US and Nigerian trade data.
Trump had announced in a decision widely condemned by the European Union and exporting nations that countries seeking to sell goods to the United States would now face taxes as high as 50 per cent.
The announcement, made during a ‘Make America Wealthy Again’ event in the Rose Garden, marked a dramatic shift from decades of free-trade orthodoxy that had underpinned the global economy since World War II.
He said the new sweeping tariffs of at least 10 per cent on all countries were part of a broader strategy aimed at rebalancing global trade and addressing perceived unfair trade practices.
According to the Trump administration, Nigeria imposes a 27 per cent tariff on US exports, a disparity they claim has long been detrimental to American businesses and consumers. It said the higher tariffs were charged through currency manipulation and trade barriers.
Our correspondent gathered that the reciprocal tariff was calculated based on the trade deficit for the US in goods with the particular country divided by the total goods imports from that country, and then divided that number by two. A trade deficit occurs when a country buys (imports) more physical products from other countries than it sells (exports) to them.
In his address, Trump framed the tariff as part of a larger initiative to protect American industries and ensure that other nations play by what he described as “fair” trade rules.
Trump declared the start of what he called a new era of “fair trade”, promising to “supercharge America’s industrial base” and force open foreign markets long accused of shutting out US goods.
“This is one of the most important days in American history,” Trump said. “We will supercharge our domestic industrial base. We will pry open foreign markets and break down foreign trade barriers, and ultimately, more production at home will mean stronger competition and lower prices for consumers.
“This will be, indeed, the golden age of Americans coming back. We are going to come back very strongly.”
Responding to the development, NACC president Balogun warned that the policy could impact trade volumes worth $277bn.
“Since the African Growth and Opportunity Act began in 2000, Nigeria has exported an estimated $277bn worth of goods to the United States under the programme,” he stated. “The vast majority of this trade value comes from crude oil shipments, with petroleum products overwhelmingly dominating Nigeria’s AGOA exports each year. In fact, oil alone accounts for nearly all of Nigeria’s exports under the initiative by value.”
Economic experts say this move threatens Nigeria’s exports to the US, particularly petroleum goods, its major export product. With oil accounting for the bulk of Nigeria’s export revenue, the move could exacerbate economic challenges, including a weaker naira and rising inflation. Additionally, reciprocal tariffs on imported goods like wheat and vehicles could further drive up local prices, compounding the financial strain on businesses and consumers alike.
According to Afreximbank research, the 14 per cent reciprocal tariff will reduce oil demand and lower forex earnings, while higher tariffs on wheat and vehicles may increase local prices; key exports include oil, cocoa, and rubber, while key imports include wheat, refined petroleum, and vehicles.
It added that these tariffs could reduce export revenues, increase production costs, and disrupt investment flows, particularly for nations heavily reliant on US trade.
Nigeria’s main exports to the U.S. included crude petroleum, petroleum gas, and nitrogenous fertilisers, flour and meals of soya beans, urea, refined lead, flowers buds and natural gas, while the western country mainly exported cars, refined petroleum, and wheat to Nigeria.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s trade with the United States reached a combined N31.1 trillion in ten years between 2015 and 2024. An analysis of the foreign trade report showed that N16.4tn was recorded as exports and N14.71tn in imports, indicating a trade surplus of N1.64tn
A breakdown showed that Nigeria exported goods worth N344.27bn in 2015 and received N581.99bn as imports. In 2016, it increased to N1.03tn in exports and N706.09 in imports. Exports surged to N1.73tn in 2027, N1.094tn in 2018, N1.01tn in 2019 before dropping to N382.19bn in 2020 due to the pandemic. By 2021, exports increased to N800.34bn, N1.82tn in 2022, N2.61tn in 2023 and N5.52tn in 2024.
The tariffs also come just as the US began importing jet fuel from Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery, with six vessels carrying 1.7 million barrels arriving this month.
The CEO, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Johnson Chukwu, explained that crude oil exports from Nigeria may remain unaffected by the tariff.
Chukwu added that while Nigeria was not a major non-oil exporting nation, the larger concern is that the US tariffs could lead to reduced global production. “Once production declines, demand for crude will fall, bringing down oil prices and likely affecting Nigeria’s projected revenue for the year,” he warned.
Beyond crude oil, the broader implications of the tariff war include rising consumer prices and weaker economic activity worldwide.
The economist noted that as countries adjusted to the new trade landscape, the cost of goods and services would rise, leading to a lower standard of living and a slowdown in manufacturing and international trade.
“However, at the general level, what Trump has done would trigger a higher cost of goods and services globally because countries would add it to their economies and it will be borne by final consumers. So, prices will go up in almost all the jurisdictions, the standard of living will weaken, manufacturing activities will slow down, and international trade will slow down. Ultimately, where it will affect Nigeria is that the demand for crude will decline because production will go down, and once the demand reduces, it means the price will come down and likely affect the projected revenue from crude sales this year. We are not a strong non-oil exporting country, so it may not affect our agricultural products, but reduced demand will affect our crude revenue,” he added.
Already, crude oil prices took a sharp hit on Thursday, with Brent crude dropping below $70 per barrel following an unexpected increase in production by OPEC+.
The CEO, Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprises, Muda Yusuf, highlighted the indirect effects Nigeria might face.
“The Trump administration has practically brought closure to the AGOA trade window. Additionally, the trade war and retaliatory tariffs could trigger inflationary pressures in the U.S., leading to higher costs for imports into Nigeria,” he said.
Yusuf also warned that disruptions in global supply chains could weaken economic growth worldwide, potentially lowering crude oil prices — a development that would reduce Nigeria’s foreign reserves and revenue.
Despite these challenges, Yusuf noted that the shifting trade landscape could present new opportunities for Nigeria.
“Many countries affected by the trade war will seek new bilateral trade relationships, which may create investment opportunities for Nigerian businesses,” he explained.
However, he cautioned that if US inflation worsens, the Federal Reserve may tighten monetary policy, leading to higher interest rates and capital outflows from emerging economies—potentially putting further pressure on the naira’s exchange rate.
On his part, the Director General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Sola Obadimu, urged the Federal Government to focus on domestic economic growth rather than overreacting to U.S. policies.
He emphasised that every country, including the United States, implemented policies in its best interest, and Nigeria must do the same to protect its economy and create jobs.
Obadimu explained that the tariff aligned with former US President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda, aimed at revitalising domestic industries and creating employment opportunities for American citizens.
“Trump’s goal has always been to make America great again, and one way to achieve that is to get factories running again,” he said. “Many factories in the U.S. have shut down due to outsourcing, and this policy is designed to discourage imports, boost local production, and generate jobs. It’s a valid argument.”
However, he stressed that the real concern for Nigeria should be its own economic strategy. He pointed out that the country exports mostly crude oil and raw agricultural products with little value added, effectively outsourcing jobs instead of creating employment locally. To address this, he called for policies that prioritize industrialization and job creation.
“We cannot industrialise on generators. We should aim for 150,000 megawatts of electricity, add value to our products, and employ more people,” he urged. While noting that Trump’s policies could be overturned by a future administration, Obadimu emphasised that Nigeria must take proactive steps to safeguard its economy from external shocks and long-term poverty.
In addition to the 14 per cent tariff on Nigerian exports, Trump also unveiled a broader trade policy that included a baseline 10 per cent tariff on all US imports.
The new tariffs, which take immediate effect, apply to more than 50 countries.
They include major trade partners like China, the European Union, India, and Japan, as well as developing economies in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
The new policy is a dramatic shift in global trade and economic policy, rattling markets and stirring fears of a global trade war.
Aside from Nigeria, some African countries that will bear the brunt of the new policy include Algeria (30 per cent); Lesotho (50 per cent); Mauritius (40 per cent); Kenya (10 per cent); Namibia (21 per cent) and Ethiopia as well as Ghana 10 per cent apiece. South Africa was handed down a reciprocal tariff of 30 per cent.
Other countries, including China, got 34 per cent, India (26 per cent), South Korea (25 per cent), Japan 24 (per cent), Taiwan (32 per cent), United Kingdom (10 per cent), Vietnam (46 per cent), Switzerland (31 per cent), Cambodia 49 (per cent) South Africa (30 per cent), Indonesia (32 per cent), Brazil (10 per cent) and Singapore (10 per cent).
Trump said the baseline 10 percent tariff would start on April 5, while higher rates on various partners would begin on April 9.
A Nigerian-born Roman Catholic priest, Anthony Odiong, has been convicted by a jury in Texas, United States, for sexually assaulting women under his spiritual care, The Guardian reports.
Odiong, 57, was found guilty on one count of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of second-degree sexual assault after a trial in Waco, Texas.
The jury, made up of eight women and four men, delivered its verdict after about two hours of deliberation on Friday.
The court heard testimony from two women who said Odiong used his role as a priest to manipulate and pressure them into sexual relationships.
He was accused of exploiting his position as a Catholic priest to pursue sexual relationships with women he was providing spiritual direction.
Odiong, who pleaded not guilty, could face life imprisonment on the first-degree charge when sentencing begins on Monday.
Prosecutors said the offences involved two women who testified in court that the priest abused his clerical authority during periods of emotional vulnerability.
One of the women, identified in court documents as Mary Doe, told the jury that Odiong began a sexual relationship with her while providing spiritual counselling during a difficult divorce.
She also testified that her son once walked in on her and Odiong during intercourse at her home.
Another woman, Jane Doe, testified that he pressured her into sexual acts under the guise of spiritual guidance.
The case followed a 2024 report by The Guardian, which first documented allegations of sexual misconduct and coercion against the priest during his ministry in Texas and Louisiana.
Prosecutors said that report prompted one of the victims to come forward to police with further allegations.
Investigators later gathered additional evidence, including DNA linked to a child fathered by Odiong during his time in Louisiana.
Odiong, a naturalised US citizen, was ordained in Nigeria in 1993 and later served in Catholic parishes in Texas and Louisiana.
Authorities said he was suspended from the ministry in 2019 following earlier allegations of misconduct.
His lawyers argued during the trial that the relationships were consensual, but prosecutors maintained that he abused his position of authority as a clergy member.
A United States-based 23 year old tech-developer, Tony Kabilan Okeke, led a five-man team of Drexel University, Philadelphia, Penn., U.S. alumni and students to develop Xploit, an automated cybersecurity testing tool for AI agents, an ambitious concept that addresses a growing problem in AI landscape.
Beside Tony Okeke who is the Team Lead, other members of the team are Kamdi Okeke, Kiitan Fawole, Dalu Okonkwo and Michael Moemeke.
Speaking to our reporter on the development, Tony said, “As more businesses deploy AI agents that can take actions and use tools on behalf of customers, these systems become potential security risks. Unlike simple AI assistants, agents have access to tools and can perform real actions – meaning a security vulnerability isn’t just a PR problem, it could have serious real-world consequences.”
3rd from right, Team lead, Tony, Kamdi, Dalu, flanked by UEV partners
The team envisioned a tool that could automatically test an AI agent for vulnerabilities – essentially playing the role of a digital attacker to identify weaknesses before real threats could exploit them. This was the outcome of their brainstorming on November 21, 2025, when Tony led the group to build and pitch Xploit in the “Start-Up In a Weekend” Hackathon hosted on November 21 – 23, 2025 in Philadelphia, by The Foundry & Velric, a Philadelphia-based founder-first community that act as a startup ecosystem catalyst.
Tony designed the system’s architecture and created the initial prototype of the user interface (UI). The UI concept was crucial: it needed to visually show how their automated attacker was thinking, strategizing, and attempting different approaches in real-time, all displayed through interactive graph showing the attack process as it unfolded.
Responsibilities were strategically divided amongst the team. Some members created sample AI agents to serve as “victims” for testing. Tony developed the core attacking system. One person refined the user interface, and others handled the technical infrastructure connecting all the pieces together.
The attacking system itself works like a strategic game player. It would first choose an attack strategy, then create a detailed plan, execute that plan step-by-step by sending messages to the target AI agent, and analyze the responses to determine whether to continue or try a different approach. Throughout this process, the web interface displayed everything happening in real-time, allowing users to watch the automated tester work.
The team then integrated everything — making the attacker communicate with the victim AI agent systems, ensuring the automated testing loop ran smoothly, and polishing the final product. They recorded their demo video and submitted their project before the 9 am deadline on November 23, 2025.
During the afternoon judging session, the team delivered their pitch, framing their project around a massive, unaddressed market shift, highlighting a critical market gap: while the explosion of AI agents in 2025 has seen enterprises deploy them to manage everything from infrastructure to sensitive tasks like financial analysis and customer support, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are left vulnerable because they cannot afford to test them for security flaws. Unlike tech giants, SMBs lack the resources for dedicated AI security teams. Xploit, automated cybersecurity tool, directly addresses this need, positioning itself within a booming continuous automated red-teaming market projected to skyrocket from $495 million in 2024 to $4.9 billion by 2032. Xploit democratizes AI safety, levels the playing field, allowing any business to automatically test and secure their AI agents before deployment.
The judges were impressed enough that they took an unusual step — they asked to see the team’s code and development history to verify the project had actually been built during the hackathon weekend. This verification was necessary because the judges found it hard to believe such a polished product could be created in just one weekend.
The team won the “new project track” award and $1,500 in prize money.
“What made the achievement particularly remarkable” according to Kamdi Okeke, “wasn’t just that we built it over a weekend — it was that, competing amongst a diverse group of 100+ of Philadelphia’s most driven creators, we built Xploit in less than a day of actual development time, transforming an abstract idea into a working, polished prototype through focused collaboration and strategic planning.”
Speaking further, Tony said, “The experience at yet another hackathon, UEV’s Venture Building Weekend hosted in Philadelphia, March 12 – 14, 2026, was a turning point for us. The mentorship and feedback we received from industry operators helped sharpen how we think about the problem and where our approach fits in the market.”
United Effects Ventures (UEV) is a Philadelphia-based pre-seed venture studio. Through its Venture Building Weekend, a competitive hackathon, focused on problem validation and go-to-market strategy, teams refined their ideas with guidance from experienced operators and investors. After a grueling 48-hour sprint, Xploit came tops, outperformed 15 other competing teams, earning a cash award and two advisory sessions with partners at UEV; and most importantly, industry experts validated Xploit’s focus on continuous red-teaming as a strong approach to discovering vulnerabilities in AI-powered products.
Mentors at the hackathon validated both the team’s identification of the problem – the growing security risks posed by AI agents operating autonomously in enterprise environment – and their approach of framing the product as continuous red-teaming platform, which could support an ongoing service model.
The accusation comes after US Central Command said its forces had on Monday attacked missile sites and boats in southern Iran that were trying to lay mines in the Gulf, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said it fired at US aircraft trying to enter its airspace.
“The US terrorist army, continuing its illegal and unjustified actions since the ceasefire… has, in the past 48 hours, committed a gross violation of the ceasefire in the Hormozgan region,” the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement.
It added that Tehran “will not leave any evil unanswered and will not hesitate to defend the Iranian nation,” without elaborating.
Tuesday’s statement came as a top Iranian delegation was in Qatar for talks as part of a “diplomatic process” aimed at ending the war with the United States, which broke out on February 28.
AFP
Iranian authorities held mass public weddings in Tehran for couples who signed up to a state-sponsored scheme declaring their readiness to sacrifice their lives in the war against the US and Israel.
The ceremonies conducted late on Monday involved hundreds of couples in several major squares in the capital, including more than 100 in the vast Imam Hossein square in central Tehran, according to reports in Iranian media.
They were broadcast on state TV in a bid to boost wartime morale, with US President Donald Trump repeatedly threatening new military action against Iran amid a shaky ceasefire which halted the fighting that began on February 28.
Those involved had signed up, according to Iranian media, for the so-called “self-sacrifice” scheme (janfada in Persian) where people pledged to put their lives on the line in the war by, for example, forming human chains outside power stations.
Iranian authorities say millions of people, including top figures such as the speaker of parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and President Masoud Pezeshkian, have put their names forward.
Couples arrived at the Imam Hossein square in military jeeps with mounted machine guns and were married on a stage in a ceremony presided over by a cleric, AFP images showed.
The stage was festooned with balloons and with a giant image of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has yet to appear in public since being elevated to the position after the killing of his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, on the first day of the war.
“Certainly, the country is at war, but young people also have the right to marry,” one young woman in a white Islamic bridal dress, who was not named, said beside her groom in footage published by the Mehr news agency.
A man in a dark suit, beside his bride-to-be, said they were happy the occasion marked the anniversary of the marriage of the Prophet Ali, revered by Shia Muslims, to Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Mohammed.
“We received their blessings. Furthermore, we came to offer our best wishes to the people in the streets,” he said.
Mehr said 110 couples had taken part in the Imam Hossein Square ceremony alone. The AFP images showed crowds of well-wishers clasping roses and watching on.
Since the start of the war, Iranian authorities have held, on a near-daily basis, major pro-government gatherings in a bid to highlight popular mobilisation amid the conflict.
AFP
The Nigerian community in the United States has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of Eric Ezeokoli, a student of California State University, Long Beach.
Ezeokoli, who was born on October 6, 1960, reportedly died on Friday, April 11, 2026, at Saint Mary’s Hospital after a brief illness.
Until his death, he was studying Engineering at the university, also known as Long Beach State University. Sources disclosed that he had previously lived in San Jose before relocating to the Los Angeles area.
Tragically, at the time of his passing, Ezeokoli was said to be homeless and living in his car, with no fixed address.
The deceased was originally from Anambra State, although details about his exact hometown remain unclear. There are indications he may have hailed from Aguata, but this has not been officially confirmed.
Efforts are currently underway to locate his family members and relatives in Nigeria. Members of the Nigerian community and concerned individuals are appealing to anyone with useful information about Ezeokoli’s background or family to come forward.
A contact person, Paul Kizito Eze, has been designated to receive information that could help trace the deceased’s relatives.
The appeal has also been extended to people from Anambra State, particularly those familiar with communities in Aguata, to assist in identifying and notifying the family.
The situation has sparked renewed concern over the welfare of some Nigerians living abroad, especially those facing hardship and isolation.
Anyone with relevant information is urged to reach out urgently to assist in reconnecting the late Ezeokoli with his family for proper burial arrangements.
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