President Bola Tinubu has declared Nigeria’s unwavering stance against U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies, demonstrating remarkable confidence in his administration’s economic strategy.
Speaking during a solidarity visit by The Buhari Organisation at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu dismissed concerns about Trump’s trade war escalation targeting Nigerian exports.
Non-Oil Revenue Growth Shields Nigeria from External Shocks
Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s diversified economic foundation as a critical buffer against international trade disruptions.
“If non-oil revenue is growing, then we have no fear of whatever Trump is doing on the other side,” Tinubu stated, highlighting Nigeria’s strategic pivot away from oil dependency that has historically made the nation vulnerable to external pressures.
Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs Hit Nigeria with 15% Export Levy
Trump’s Liberation Day trade policy announcements on April 2, 2025, introduced sweeping reciprocal tariffs under his “America First” agenda, directly impacting sub-Saharan African partners.
Nigeria now faces a 15% tariff on its exports effective August 7, following an initial 14% rate, as part of Trump’s broader strategy featuring country-specific levies ranging from 11% to 50% on top of a 10% baseline tariff.
Currency Stabilization Demonstrates Economic Progress
Tinubu pointed to significant improvements in Nigeria’s fiscal position, having achieved the 2025 revenue target by August while witnessing naira stabilization.
The Nigerian currency has strengthened to approximately N1,450 per dollar from N1,900 after the president unified exchange rates upon assuming office in May 2023, showcasing his administration’s monetary policy effectiveness.
Energy Commodities Escape Tariff Implementation
Despite the comprehensive nature of Trump’s trade restrictions, energy commodities, including oil and gas remain exempt from the new tariff regime.
However, reports indicate that heightened trade tensions have already dampened global energy product exports in early 2025, disrupting demand flows for crude oil, gasoline, and diesel across international markets.
Agricultural Mechanization Program Targets Food Security
Tinubu highlighted his administration’s agricultural reform agenda, emphasizing massive mechanization programs across Nigerian regions as fundamental to economic recovery.
“If we remove hunger, we have defeated poverty,” the president declared, positioning food security as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s long-term prosperity and resilience against external economic pressures.
Strategic Political Consolidation Ahead of 2027 Elections
Tuesday’s gathering brought together influential northern party leaders, including Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda and former Governor Aminu Masari, signaling potential party rank consolidation before the 2027 electoral cycle.
The meeting underscores the APC’s continued unity since its 2013 formation through the merger of four opposition parties that successfully unseated the long-ruling People’s Democratic Party in 2015, bringing structural changes to Nigerian politics that continue shaping the nation’s economic and political trajectory.