Business
NESG Urges Diversion of Nigeria’s Trade Amidst U.S and China Tariffs War
Given Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported manufactured goods and raw materials, NESG warns that the country could face significant economic challenges if these trade tensions escalate further
▪︎Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.
The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has stressed the need for Nigeria to divert its trade pattern towards countries that are unaffected by the U.S. tariffs.
The NESG made the call in its latest Foreign Trade Alert: 2024Q4 & Full Year 2024.
The report highlighted Nigeria’s vulnerability to global trade disruptions, particularly in its import-dependent industrial sector.
“The trade war between the U.S. and China needs to be hedged against. This would reduce tariff-induced increases in import bills, considering that the country’s import-dependent non-oil industrial sector is highly vulnerable,” the report noted.
The United States imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese imports in February 2025, with plans to increase it by another 10% in April.
In retaliation, China announced additional tariffs of 10-15% on certain U.S. imports starting March 10, 2025, along with a series of export restrictions targeting designated U.S. entities.
These measures are expected to disrupt global supply chains, slow world trade growth, and drive up the prices of globally traded commodities.
Given Nigeria’s heavy reliance on imported manufactured goods and raw materials, NESG warns that the country could face significant economic challenges if these trade tensions escalate further.
China remained Nigeria’s largest trading partner in Q4 2024, followed by India, Belgium, the U.S., and France.
The most imported commodities during the period included refined petroleum products, sugar cane, and spare parts.
However, Nigeria’s reliance on imports, particularly from China, makes it susceptible to price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions stemming from the U.S.-China trade conflict.
Business
Enugu Air Begins London Gatwick flights From December 10, 2026
The Enugu State-owned airline will use an Airbus A330-200 leased from Portugal-based EuroAtlantic under an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) arrangement.
Enugu Air will begin direct flights to London Gatwick on December 10, 2026, with four services weekly.
Tickets are already available for booking.
The Enugu State-owned airline will use an Airbus A330-200 leased from Portugal-based EuroAtlantic under an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) arrangement.
The service is being delivered through a strategic partnership with Omni-Blu Aviation (OBA).
The airline said the service will improve international travel connectivity for passengers departing from Lagos, Enugu and other parts of Nigeria.
Passengers from Enugu will be able to begin their international journey to London from their home airport, Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
The four weekly flights are expected to give travellers greater flexibility between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Enugu Air Chief Executive Officer Captain Tolu Ita said: “The commencement of our London Gatwick service reflects our commitment to expanding international connectivity and the vision of His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah, to connect Enugu to more opportunities across the world.”
He added: “Of particular importance is ensuring that passengers from Enugu can begin their international journey to London from their home airport, Akanu Ibiam International Airport. We are proud to make the journey from Enugu to London Gatwick a reality for our passengers.”
Business
Naira Exchange Rates Thursday, 5 Nov 2026
BLACK/ PARALLEL MARKET RATES
₦1400DOLLAR (USD)
₦1830POUND (GBP)
₦1515 EURO (EUR)
₦950 CANADIAN DOLLAR (CAD)
₦70 SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR)
₦350 UAE DIRHAM (AED
₦190 Chinese YUAN (CNY)
₦100 Ghanaian CEDI (GHS)
West African CFA ₦2240 (XOF)
Central African CFA ₦2180 (XAF)
₦820 Australian Dollar AUSSIE (AUD)
Business
NNPCL wants to sell 10% equity via IPO on NGX, LSE
NNPC is expected to spend at least the whole of 2027 preparing for the proposed offering, with the listing primarily intended to strengthen corporate transparency and governance in line with Nigerian law.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) is considering selling between 5% and 10% of its equity through a potential initial public offering (IPO), with the proposed listing expected to focus primarily on Nigeria’s domestic capital market.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Bashir Bayo Ojulari, disclosed this in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, adding that the company could also pursue a secondary listing in London or New York.
The disclosure comes shortly after the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s IPO closed on October 27, following a two-week extension of its subscription period from the initial October 13 deadline.
NNPC is expected to spend at least the whole of 2027 preparing for the proposed offering, with the listing primarily intended to strengthen corporate transparency and governance in line with Nigerian law.
Ojulari indicated that raising additional capital would be a secondary consideration rather than the main reason for going public.
The company is also considering listing some of its subsidiaries separately, following a model adopted by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the United Arab Emirates’ state-owned oil company.
Beyond the potential IPO, Ojulari disclosed that Chinese companies have expressed interest in acquiring equity stakes in some of NNPC’s smaller refineries, particularly the Port Harcourt and Warri facilities, which require substantial rehabilitation.
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