Connect with us

Business

Nigeria Committed to Trading with U.S. Despite Tariff Threats to Export Goods

Published

on

79 Views

Dr Jumoke Oduwole, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment , says that the Federal Government of Nigeria will continue trading with America not minding the recent tariff measures announced by the Government of the United States of America in which it imposed a 14 percent tariff on Nigerian exports.

‎‎In a Position Statement on U.S. Tariff Measures the Minister noted: ” While these developments potentially impact global trade negatively, under the ‎Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria remains firmly committed to building economic resilience and accelerating export diversification.‎‎

The statement reads:” The Federal Government of Nigeria considers the United States a valued trade and investment partner, bound by shared values and mutual economic interests. ‎‎The U.S. Ambassador’s visit to the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment on March 26, 2025, reaffirmed our joint commitment to strengthening economic ties that benefit both economies. ‎‎

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.‎‎

Since May 2023, Mr President has remained actively committed to attracting and retaining much-needed investments from old and new friends of Nigeria.‎‎

The FGN is implementing a range of interventions in policy, financing, infrastructure, and diplomacy to help Nigerian businesses remain competitive amidst regional and global tariff hikes, including expanding alternative market access opportunities and ensuring off-take diversification to reduce and mitigate trade risks.‎‎

Nigeria’s exports to the United States over the last 2 years has consistently ranged between $5–6 billion annually.‎ A significant portion—over 90%—comprises crude petroleum, mineral fuels, oils, and gas products. ‎‎

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). ‎

Dr Oduwole reiterated that her ministry “is approaching this moment with pragmatism and purpose—turning global and regional trade policy challenges into opportunities to grow our non-oil export footprint and build a more resilient economy.

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.‎

While oil has long dominated Nigeria’s exports to the US, non-oil products—many previously exempt under AGOA—now face potential disruption.‎‎

Dr Oduwole acknowledged that Nigeria’s exports to the US, especially non-oil products previously exempted under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)—now face potential disruption.‎‎“

A new 10 percent tariff on key categories may impact the competitiveness of Nigerian goods in the U.S.‎‎

For businesses in the non-oil sector, these measures present destabilising challenges to price competitiveness and ‎market access, especially in emerging and value-added sectors vital to our diversification agenda.‎‎

Dr Jumoke emphasized that SMEs building their business models around AGOA exemptions will face the pressures of rising costs and uncertain buyer commitments. ‎‎

She , however, maintained that this development would 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. ‎‎

”It also signals for Africa—and Nigeria in particular—the urgent need to enhance intra-African trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area ‎(AfCFTA), reinforcing the case for Nigeria’s accelerated implementation of the AfCFTA, deepening regional integration, and leveraging frameworks like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to lower trade costs and promote intra-African trade.,’ said Dr Oduwole.‎‎

Dr Oduwole reiterated that her ministry “is approaching this moment with pragmatism and purpose—turning global and regional trade policy challenges into opportunities to grow our non-oil export footprint and build a more resilient economy.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

Dangote Refinery Debunks shutdown rumour, says PMS’s gantry price remains N850

Published

on

84 Views

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has firmly dismissed recent reports alleging a shutdown of its operations, reassuring the public and market stakeholders that its activities remain fully active and stable.

In an official statement by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the refinery’s management categorically denied claims that truck loading has been suspended or that production has been interrupted. “The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is fully operational. There has been no shutdown, nor has there been any suspension of truck loading activities” the statement reads.

The refinery also clarified that the intermittent sale of Residual Catalytic Oil (RCO) is part of normal business operations, often involving large parcel sales, which explains the recent fuel oil tender.

According to the management, Dangote Petroleum Refinery consistently supplies over 40 million litres of PMS daily, alongside steady volumes of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel). These supplies continue unabated, despite speculation suggesting otherwise.

“As the world’s largest single-train petroleum refinery, the facility employs advanced predictive and preventive maintenance protocols to ensure uninterrupted operations. Routine maintenance activities are standard and do not impact the overall fuel supply” the statement further clarified.

In response to speculation about potential supply shortages and price increases, the refinery challenged those sponsoring the rumour to place orders for daily deliveries of up to 40 million litres of PMS and 15 million litres of diesel for the next 90 days.

“To those who believe this misinformation and anticipate a bullish market, we extend a challenge: We invite interested buyers to place immediate orders for up to 40 million litres of PMS daily and 15 million litres of AGO daily, for the next 90 days, with full upfront payment. Should any supposed supply shortage occur, these buyers would be well-positioned to benefit from the predicted market rise,” it added.

The refinery reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and Nigeria’s energy security, urging the public to disregard unfounded rumours sponsored by unscrupulous and unpatriotic individuals seeking to undermine the country’s energy independence for their own selfish interests, including the importation of substandard fuels under the false pretext of domestic supply shortages.

Continue Reading

Business

Ikeja Electric releases new prepaid meter prices

Published

on

56 Views

Ikeja Electric has released updated prices for prepaid meters, which take effect from August 6, 2025. The revised rates cover both single-phase and three-phase meter types and are inclusive of VAT.

The revised rates were announced on the disco’s official X account on Friday.

The company announced that “MBH Power Ltd’s one-phase costs ₦135,987.50,  while the three-phase costs ₦226,825.00. Turbo Energy Ltd’s one-phase costs ₦145,608.75, while the three-phase costs ₦236,903.13.

“Aries Electric Ltd’s one-phase costs ₦145,125.00, and the three-phase costs ₦258,000.00. Mojec Asset Management Company Ltd’s one-phase costs ₦135,718.75, and the three-phase costs ₦226,825.00.

“Paktim Metering Nig. Ltd, the one-phase meter costs ₦137,600.00, while the three-phase meter costs ₦233,275.00. Holley Metering Ltd’s one-phase meter costs ₦133,854.03, three-phase meter costs ₦219,497.09.

“CIG Metering Assets Nigeria Ltd’s one-phase meter costs ₦150,500.00, New Hampshire Capital Ltd’s one-phase meter costs ₦133,300.00 and the three-phase costs ₦231,125.00.”

The electricity distribution company noted that the prices are “valid subject to meter availability,” adding that the changes are part of its effort to ensure customers have access to up-to-date information on meter procurement.

The company also assured customers that the new pricing reflects the latest approved rates for meter providers under its Meter Asset Provider scheme.

Continue Reading

Business

Global electricity demand to keep growing robustly through 2026 despite economic headwinds – IEA

Renewables are expected to overtake coal as the world’s largest source of electricity as early as 2025 or by 2026 at the latest, depending on weather and fuel price trends.

Published

on

By

47 Views

Global electricity demand is set to rise by 3.3% in 2025 and 3.7% in 2026 – more than twice as fast as total energy demand growth over the same period, the IEA’s Electricity Mid-Year Update finds.

The new report underscores the increasing demand for electricity to power factories and appliances, keep buildings cool, operate growing fleets of data centres, run electric vehicles and more.

While the latest forecasts for global electricity demand growth this year and next are a deceleration from the 4.4% surge recorded in 2024, they remain well above the 2015-2023 average of 2.6%.

Renewables are expected to overtake coal as the world’s largest source of electricity as early as 2025 or by 2026 at the latest, depending on weather and fuel price trends.

At the same time, nuclear power output is expected to reach record highs, driven by reactor restarts in Japan, robust output in the United States and France, and new additions, mostly in Asia.

The steady increase in gas-fired power generation is set to continue displacing coal and oil in the power sector in many regions.

As a result of these developments, carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation are currently forecast to plateau in 2025 and record a slight decline in 2026, although weather and economic conditions could affect that trajectory.

“The growth in global electricity demand is set to remain robust through 2026, despite an uncertain economic backdrop,” said Keisuke Sadamori, IEA Director of Energy Markets and Security.

“The strong expansion of renewables and nuclear is steadily reshaping electricity markets in many regions. But this must be matched by greater investment in grids, storage and other sources of flexibility to ensure power systems can meet the growing demand securely and affordably.”

Continue Reading

Trending