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

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.
Business
GenCos Oppose Enugu’s Band A tariff cut to N160/kWh
In a statement issued on Monday by the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Joy Ogaji, the GenCos stated that the tariff revision sets a precedent for all other states and fails to reflect the true cost of electricity generation.

Power generation companies (GenCos) have kicked against the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission’s new tariff order to MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited, which adjusted the electricity cost for Band A customers from N209 per kilowatt-hour to N160/kWh, effective August 1, 2025.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Joy Ogaji, the GenCos stated that the tariff revision sets a precedent for all other states and fails to reflect the true cost of electricity generation.
MainPower is the utility that succeeded Enugu Electricity Distribution Company after the state got the approval of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to control its electricity market.
The new tariff was contained in the Enugu commission’s Order No. EERC/2025/003 entitled ‘Tariff Order for MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited 2025’, and was issued by the commission on Sunday.
It said “its decision was cost reflective, insisting that the tariff must reflect the power generation subsidy by the Federal Government for the benefit of electricity consumers.”
Business
Zenith named Nigeria’s best bank at Euromoney awards for excellence 2025
Commenting on the award, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Adaora Umeoji said, “We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised as Nigeria’s best bank by Euromoney.

L-R: Former Economic Secretary to the Treasury of the United Kingdom, Ed Balls; Head of Multinationals and Financial Institutions, Zenith Bank (UK) Ltd, Natalie Andrew; Manager, Wealth Management, Zenith Bank (UK) Ltd, Noelia Pinto; Group Managing Director/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON; Executive Director, Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Mrs. Adobi Nwapa; CEO, Zenith Bank (UK) Ltd, Udu Ovbiagele; and Euromoney’s Head of Banking for US & Europe, Dominic O’Neill during the presentation of Nigeria’s Best Bank Award to Zenith Bank Plc at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025 at The Peninsula, London.
Zenith Bank Plc has been named “Nigeria’s Best Bank” at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025.
The award was presented to the bank on Thursday, July 17, 2025 in London.
The annual awards celebrates financial institutions that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and resilience in their markets, with this year’s edition seeing a record number of over 770 entries from financial institutions including HSBC, Morgan Stanley, CitiBank, Barclays, Standard Bank and Development Bank of Singapore (DBS), among others.
Commenting on the award, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Adaora Umeoji said, “We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised as Nigeria’s best bank by Euromoney.
“This award is not just a testament to our relentless pursuit of excellence, but also a validation of the unwavering trust and confidence our customers have placed in us.
We are once again reminded that our success is not just about us, but about the impact we continue to have on the financial ecosystem.
We will continue to work tirelessly to support the growth and development of our economy and uphold the highest standards of governance, integrity and transparency that has earned us this recognition.”
Business
Wema Bank’s Digital Bank, ALAT, Emerges Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank @ Euromoney Awards 2025
Wema Bank’s MD/CEO, Moruf Oseni, expressed appreciation to the Euromoney Awards for recognising the Bank’s impact on the proliferation of digital innovation in Africa, reiterating the Bank’s commitment to its sustainability vision of developing digital solutions for societal impact.

In recognition of its position as a digital pioneer in the African banking landscape, Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, a trailblazing digital platform pioneered by Nigeria’s oldest indigenous and most innovative bank, Wema Bank, has been awarded Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank at the Euromoney Awards 2025.
Euromoney is a leading provider of competitive intelligence and benchmarking insight for the global banking and finance industry, trusted for over 50 years to deliver data-led analysis that informs strategy, validates performance, and supports decision-making at the executive level.
The Euromoney Awards, pioneered by Euromoney, are regarded as the ultimate accolade in banking; the industry-leading stamp of approval that banks across the globe work yearlong to achieve.
Recognised as Nigeria’s leading financial institution in digital innovation, Wema Bank’s revolutionary digital bank, ALAT, was awarded Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank at the Euromoney Awards 2025 held at The Peninsula London Hotel in London on Thursday, 17th July, 2025.
Since its launch on May 2nd 2017, ALAT has bridged the gaps in delivery of financial services to Nigerians within Nigeria and globally, evolving remarkably into a holistic hub of lifestyle and financial solutions for Nigerian adults of all ages and from all walks of life.
From simply being the first fully digital bank in Africa, ALAT has evolved remarkably into a digital platform with an ecosystem of dynamic financial solutions tailored to provide seamless, reliable, and convenient service for all.
With ALAT, basic financial services like transfers, airtime & data purchases, bill payments and loans are placed at the fingertips of users, in addition to a wide range of advanced financial services and solutions that merge banking with lifestyle.
From in-app local and international flight bookings to tailored personal and group savings options, investments and stocks, movie and event tickets, deals and discounts on a limitless pool of products and services, 24/7 health consultation, and a suite of customised loan options for salary earners and non-salary earners; ALAT changed the game, redefining banking and financial services in a world where digital has become the future.
In view of ALAT’s groundbreaking role in blazing the trail for FinTechs in Africa and its intentionally-curated wealth of features and offerings designed to meet the needs of Nigerians in Nigeria and the diaspora, it is evident that the Bank is undeniably deserving of the recognition and accolade.
Underscoring Wema Bank’s commitment in shaping the future of banking through impactful innovations like ALAT.
Wema Bank’s MD/CEO, Moruf Oseni, expressed appreciation to the Euromoney Awards for recognising the Bank’s impact on the proliferation of digital innovation in Africa, reiterating the Bank’s commitment to its sustainability vision of developing digital solutions for societal impact.
Receiving the award, Oseni said that the world is moving fast and so is the permeation of ‘digital’ into the most critical aspects of our lives.
Eighty years ago when Wema Bank was established, typewriters were the extent of banking technology.
Today, we have pioneered a fully digital bank, and possess technology advanced enough to power over 150 FinTechs.
In ten years, one can only imagine what this fast-paced digital economy will bring.
One thing is clear, any business, venture or institution that will remain relevant by the end of the next decade, must leverage digital technology today.
This is why Wema Bank is so driven when it comes to digital. Innovation and empowerment”.
“As a Bank, our stance is clear. Wema Bank will never relent in empowering lives through innovation and developing digital solutions for societal impact.
We will continue to pioneer innovation, empower innovators and bridge the gap between traditional and digital, leveraging the opportunities of the digital world to generate meaningful impact on lives and businesses in Nigeria, Africa and across the world.
We have remained resilient in this commitment since 1945 and this award tells us that the world is feeling our impact.
We are honoured by this recognition, and I take this opportunity to extend our sincerest gratitude to the Euromoney Awards.
We take this as a challenge to keep up the good work, go harder, and continue going above and beyond in shaping the future of banking through digital innovation.
Here’s to 80 years of impact and a future of limitless possibilities with Wema Bank”. Oseni concluded.
Wema Bank continues to raise the bar in financial services, placing Nigeria on the global map for banking and digital innovation.
Since 1945, the Bank has spearheaded a positive transformation in Africa’s banking and financial landscape, proving that Nigerian-owned businesses have the capacity to last and stand the test of time.
As the Bank celebrated its 80th anniversary on May 2nd 2025, its futuristic digital platform, ALAT simultaneously clocked 8, marking 8 years of digital transformation.
The world continues to watch in anticipation as Wema Bank leads the movement in digital innovation, shaping the future of banking in Africa.
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