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No Mosque Demolished In Ekiti For Market Project, LG Chairman Reacts

April 8, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti West Local Government in Ekiti State, has clarified that a building, which was demolished, which an Islamic organization claimed was a mosque, was an illegal structure.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), had issued a statement accusing the Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele of promoting religious intolerance by demolishing a mosque for a market at Aramoko Ekiti.

Ekiti state chapter of Afenifere had condemned MURIC over its utterance on the incident.

The Ekiti West Local Government management in a reaction by the Chairman, Moses Omojola maintained that MURIC action was misleading and inciting.

It added that MURIC through its leader Prof Ishaq Akintola, had alleged that the Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, demolished a mosque in Aramoko-Ekiti to make way for a constituency market project.

“We categorically state that this allegation is false, malicious, and a gross misrepresentation of the facts.

“It appears designed to inflame religious sentiment and undermine the credibility of a federal legislator whose developmental efforts across Ekiti State have always been inclusive and community-driven.

“The land used for the market project in question was officially allocated to the Senate Leader by the Alara-in-Council and Ekiti West Local Government to construct an ultra-modern market to serve the people of Aramoko and surrounding communities.

“The structure claimed by the MURIC Director to be a mosque was, in fact, an unauthorized and incomplete building without any approved building plan or documentation. It was not recognized as a mosque by either the Alara-in-Council or the local government.

“Upon discovering the structure, the Alara-in-Council immediately issued a stop-work order. Photographic evidence and eyewitness accounts confirm that the traditional institution intervened well before any developmental work commenced.

“Similar constituency market projects constructed by Senator Bamidele have been completed in Iyin and Igede Ekiti without any incident, and notably, no Mosque or religious structure was demolished in the process.

“The attempt to label Senator Bamidele’s developmental project as an act of religious hostility is deeply unfortunate and unfounded.

“After the commissioning ceremony, market shops were equitably allocated to both Muslim and Christian residents of Aramoko-Ekiti. The process was transparent and community-based, further debunking the allegation of any targeted religious exclusion.

“We urge MURIC and its leadership to refrain from divisive rhetoric and to verify their claims before issuing inflammatory statements.”

Bandits Storm Kebbi Fed University Hostel, Kill Student, Abduct Another

Suleiman Anyalewechi

April 8, 2025

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The authorities of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday April 8, 2025, appealed to Security Agencies ,the State Government, and all other relevant bodies to ensure the safe return of their abducted student.

The Source reports that gunmen, suspected to be banditry elements, early Tuesday morning kidnapped one Augustine Madubiya ,a 400-level Economics student of the University, at one of the University’s off-campus student hostels in Unguwar, Jeji Area of the State Capital.

Witnesses informed that a middle aged herder was also shot and killed during the attack by the gunmen said to be five in number.

“About five armed men at about 3:00am, stormed in Istijaba Villa, an off-Campus hostel, located in Unguwar, Jeji area, and approached some students who were sleeping outside their rooms due to excessive heat, asking for money .

“When the students explained that they had no money on them, the gunmen immediately attacked them.

“In the course of the chaos that trailed the assault on the students ,a local,one Malam Siddi Hussaini ,a herder ,who was tending his cattle close by tried to intervene ,but he was sot and killed by the attackers .

“Consequently Augustine Madubiya, a final year student in the Department of Economics, was taken away by the gunmen”, a local volunteered.

A statement from the University’s Management, on Tuesday, noted that the Vice Chancellor, Prof Muhammad Zaiyan Umar, on a visit to the scene of the incident, alongside the Divisional Police Officer DPO of Kalgo Division ,and officials of other Security Agencies in the State, sued for calm among the students.

He assured them of the unwavering commitment of the University authorities towards their safety and security .

The statement indicated that the Vice Chancellor has similarly formally communicated the incident to the Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris

Meanwhile, Prof Umar has expressed the University’s gratitude to the District Head of UnguwarJeji and members of the local community for their unflinching support and cooperation.

While calling for immediate action towards the release of the abducted student, the Vice Chancellor urged Security Agencies to put adequate machineries in place to prevent a future occurrence.

Obi In London, Gives Africa Tips To Survive Trump’s Trade Tariff

The Source

April 8, 2025

The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has given some tips to African countries on how they can cope with the disruptive trade Tariff of the United States President Donald Trump on the continent.

Speaking on Tuesday in London, at the Plenary of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) Trade and Investment Summit of 2025 on the topic **AFRICA ROLE IN THE NEW GLOBAL ECONOMY, Obi advised African leaders to invest in their huge potential of youthful human capital of over a billion workforce. Obi said that Africa must create the needed skilled workforce and productivity both for Africa’s and global development.

According to Obi, “The discussion on Africa’s Role in the New Global Economy is a topic of immense importance considering the opportunities and endless potentials within the vast continent of Africa, which, when fully harnessed, promises a great positive impact, not just within the Commonwealth economy but globally.

“The recent interventions of President Trump have disrupted some of the settled assumptions of the global economy, which has seen many countries now taking proactive and active responses to secure their economies, while the same is presently not happening in Africa.

“Despite its vast opportunities, Africa’s share of global trade, according to the World Trade Organization (WTO), stands at 2-3%. Our share of the global GDP stands at about 3%. Africa’s GDP per capita is even worse at $1900 when compared to the continent in ranking – Asia, where the GDP per capita is around $9000. Africa’s global trade and GDP have been stagnant for more than 2 decades in contrast to Africa being the 2nd largest and most populous continent with a population of about 1.5 billion people. Africa is home to the most youthful and dynamic workforce with the largest concentration of working-age population of about 1 billion people.

“Africa has an abundance of natural resources ranging from minerals to nearly a billion hectares of arable uncultivated land. Africa holds over 60% of the world’s arable land. Approximately 30 per cent of the world’s mineral resources are found in Africa. While Africa did not witness a similar economic transformation under globalization 2.0, we need to rise up and take the right actions to ensure that we can profit from whatever trading system will arise in the wake of the second Trump Presidency. This Africa can achieve by simply investing in its potential – the youthful human capital of over a billion workforce it has to create the needed skilled workforce and productivity both for Africa’s and global development.

“Africa’s food and agriculture market is projected to increase from its present amount of about US$280 billion a year to over US$1 trillion a year by 2030. This shows that with agriculture at the core of Africa’s economic transformation, the continent has the potential to become a global agricultural powerhouse and a net exporter of food, contributing immeasurably to the new global economy.

“What is missing is the leadership that can reorder priorities and scale up productivity so that African countries can enter higher grade value creation. We have seen evidence of the possibility of higher-grade value creation in some of the better-governed African countries. The challenge is scaling up and sustaining innovative production in the region. We need to produce more goods and services that the world needs and be smart to leverage whatever global trade arrangement survives Mr Trump’s disruption.

“This is a junction for transformative change in Africa. This period requires new thinking about leadership. It requires refocusing on productivity. Africa pursued economic convergence in the previous era by importing political and economic institutions of Western developed economics without focusing on productivity and human capital development like the developmental state of Asia. This is the time to rebuild African economies through new leadership that focuses on rapid upgrades in productive capacities, especially innovative education and healthcare and pulling Africans out of poverty.

OPINION: The Danger of Judicial Overreach

The Source

April 8, 2025

By Abraham Amah

The recent decision by a Federal High Court in Nigeria prohibiting two elected senators from addressing the press, despite no conviction or judicial finding of guilt, represents a troubling departure from both constitutional safeguards and democratic norms. As a citizen and a stakeholder in the Nigerian project, I find this development not only worrisome but also constitutionally indefensible. It is a dangerous anomaly that must be confronted with intellectual clarity and unwavering adherence to the rule of law.

The Nigerian Constitution—our supreme legal document—does not mince words when it comes to the fundamental rights of citizens. Section 36(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), enshrines the presumption of innocence, declaring unequivocally that “Every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proved guilty.” This principle is not a mere legal technicality; it is a cornerstone of justice that guards against tyranny, arbitrariness, and the abuse of state power.

Moreover, Section 39(1) of the same Constitution guarantees freedom of expression: “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.” This provision does not exempt public office holders, nor does it allow the judiciary—or any arm of government—to suppress this right without due and lawful cause.

To prohibit individuals, especially elected senators who represent the voice of the people, from speaking to the press without any judicial finding of wrongdoing, amounts to a violation of their constitutional rights. It sets a perilous precedent where a citizen may be silenced based on suspicion or mere allegation, rather than proven guilt. This, to my mind, is judicial overreach and a direct affront to the democratic ethos upon which Nigeria is built.

Even under our criminal justice system, restrictions on personal liberties such as speech or movement must be proportional, necessary, and anchored on due process. If a court deems it necessary to restrict speech, it must be based on a compelling state interest, backed by evidence, and most importantly, follow a fair hearing process. To act otherwise is to turn the court into an instrument of repression rather than a temple of justice.

One must also ask: what purpose does this gag order serve? If it is to prevent interference with ongoing investigations or judicial proceedings, such interference must be proven or at least reasonably anticipated. The law does not operate on hypothetical dangers. The court must tread with caution and act within its constitutional boundaries.

This is not just about two senators. It is about the collective rights of all Nigerians. If such orders go unchallenged, what stops a future court from silencing journalists, activists, or private citizens simply for expressing dissent or exposing wrongdoing?

Nigeria is a constitutional democracy, not a judicial autocracy. Our courts are meant to interpret and uphold the law, not manufacture restrictions that stifle liberty and undermine democratic accountability.

In conclusion, no citizen—high or low—should be stripped of their constitutional rights without due process. And no court, however well-intentioned, should substitute suspicion for guilt or preemptively curtail freedoms in a bid to satisfy political convenience. To do so is to sow the seeds of injustice in the very garden where justice is meant to flourish.

Let this be a clarion call to all lovers of democracy: constitutional rights are not optional privileges—they are sacred obligations owed to every Nigerian. Any breach of them must be resisted with the full weight of legal and moral authority.

Elder Amah, a frequent Commentator on National Issues, writes from Umuahia

Ekiti IPAC Accuses Senate Leader Of Empowering Only APC Members

Ayodele Oni

April 8, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The recent Empowerment Programme funded by the senator representing Ekiti Central, Opeyemi Bamidele has continued to generate reactions among stakeholders in the Constituent.

Some had criticised the programme for not meeting the expectations of people as beneficiaries were mainly loyalists of the senator.

Investigation revealed that some of the beneficiaries have started to put up for same at give away prices done of the items distributed at the event.

The Inter Party Advisory Council, (IPAC) in Ekiti state has called for inclusion of members of other political parties in the Empowerment programmes of political office holders.

Reacting to recent distribution of various items and cash donated by Senator Michael Opeyemi, from Ekiti Central, IPAC noted that the gesture was restricted to member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Bamidele’s empowerment programme in central senatorial has been perceived as primarily benefiting APC members, sparking controversy among opposition party supporters in Ekiti State, IPAC states in a statement signed by the spokesman, Ademola Adebayo on behalf of the chairman, Owoola Daramola.

“As a leader in the national assembly, Bamidele should ensure his outreach are more inclusive, extending beyond his party’s supporters.

“In other states IPAC is captured to ensure all political parties are fully involved and Bamidele should know there are other political party members in the central senatorial. Hence there is need for greater inclusivity.

“Bamidele did not fulfil his promise in the last empowerment, basically all the recipients were APC or APC affiliated persons.”

However, Bamidele stated that his programme eas aimed at bringing dividends of democracy to the constituents, regardless of party affiliation.

He emphasized this during his 2021 mega empowerment programme where over 5,000 beneficiaries benefited.

Afenifere Warns MURIC Against Inciting Religious Conflict In South-west

Ayodele Oni

April 8, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere has warned groups and interests against making inflammatory statements or introducing practices that can endanger peaceful coexistence among the residents of Ekiti and other south-west states.

The organisation also called on intelligence agencies, especially the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS) to querry the Executive Director of Muslim Rights Concerns (MURIC), Prof. Ishaq Akintola for making comments that can stoke religious conflict in the region.

Afenifere gave the warning on Tuesday in a statement by its Chairman, Ekiti Chapter, Gabriel Alonge following Akintola’s press statement that leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele has declared war on Muslims over Mosque Demolition in Aramoko Ekiti.

MURIC and Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria had influenced and justified the establishment of an independent Shariah Arbitration Panel in the south-west, which triggered stiff opposition from all strata of the region due to its implications for peace and security.

But in its statement, Afenifere described Akintola’s comment as unfounded, unguided and capable of endangering peaceful coexistence among brothers of different religious leanings and stoking the embers of religious conflict in Ekiti State and by extension south-west states.

It said: “We read the press statement of Prof. Ishaq Akintola with grave concerns. We have also dug deeper into the veracity of his claims that Senator Bamidele declared war on Muslims for demolishing a mosque in Aramoko Ekiti, the headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government Area.

“Our findings revealed that Senator Bamidele facilitated the reconstruction of Alara Modern Market in Aramoko Ekiti. We also found out that the market, comprising 60 open shops and 40 lock-up shops, was inaugurated on the 28th March 2025 and handed over to Alara-in-Council and Ekiti West Local Government, the two original owners of the property.

“We found out that Chief Imam of Aramoko Ekiti, Alfa Raheem Bamigbola offered the opening prayer at the inauguration of the market last year.

“Where did Prof. Akintola get his information? For us, at Afenifere, this is a deliberate attempt to destabilise Ekiti State shortly after we got over ripples that their plan to establish the Shariah Arbitration Panel in some south-west states had triggered.

“It is quite disappointing that Prof. Akintola made such a statement that can cause disaffection, even conflict, among brothers and sisters not only in Aramoko and Ekiti State, but also in the region.

“South-west is the only part of the federation that has enjoyed some level of peace and stability. We are completely averse to any move or statement that can undermine our peace and stability in part of the region.

“In Yorubaland, we are known for tolerance and not any form of prejudice despite religious diversity. We are known for our spirit of accommodation and not suppressing alternative voices.

“We are known for constructive engagement and not toxic attacks on politically exposed persons.

Afenifere, called on the Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services to start profiling every individual making statements that endanger the region’s peaceful coexistence or any group promoting unsecular practices anywhere in the South-west and Nigeria at large.

Abia Moves Against Illegal Fees In Public Schools

Ayodele Oni

April 8, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The Abia State Government has explained that only students in Senior Secondary School class are eligible to pay only three thousand Naira as officially approved fees.

It warned public school Principals and Head Teachers to stop collecting unapproved fees and levies from students, in Primary and Junior secondary school classes declaring that offenders will face strict penalties.

Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, gave the warning during a press briefing at the Government House in Umuahia, after the State Executive Council meeting.

He stressed that the practice violates the state’s policy of free and compulsory education for pupils in public primary and junior secondary schools.

Kanu noted that the government had already made provisions to fund school operations, making any form of illegal fee collection unacceptable.

“This government will no longer tolerate such dishonest behavior. Any official found guilty will be dealt with according to the law and may be dismissed from service.”

He also provided updates on the recent teacher recruitment exercise. According to him, the final stage of the process, which involved certificate screening and oral interviews, ran from March 31 to April 4.

Out of the candidates who took part, about 7,000 applicants, among them 180 individuals living with disabilities, were shortlisted for meeting the 45% and above benchmark.

Those who scored between 40% and 44% were placed on a reserve list to fill possible vacancies caused by disqualification or absenteeism.

The commissioner explained further that the recruitment effort aims to build a strong database of qualified teachers to support the growing number of students enrolling due to the free education policy.

He also announced a second recruitment phase for applicants who missed the first round.

In addition, the state has partnered with the Education Reformation and Innovation Team to train 2,200 teachers across three centres, Aba, Umuahia, and Ohafia.

The training, which runs from April 10 to 19, is expected to enhance teaching standards and improve student performance in public schools.

Speaking further, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, emphasized that the recruitment initiative will help address the teacher shortage, especially in technical and vocational subjects where demand remains high.

Ondo Govt To Demolish 53 Houses At GRA, Says Unsafe For Habitation

Ayodele Oni

April 8, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government has vowed to go ahead with its plan to redevelop the Alagbaka Government Quarters in Akure to meet the present status of the state capital.

There have been an uproar as government served quit notice to residents of the quarters to enable commencement of the redevelopment.

The residents had accused the state government of planning to sell plots at the quarter to private developers who will construct buildings and lease out to interested Occupants.

Reacting to the allegation, the special adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Ayorinde Olawale explained that the project was part of the state government plan to give the state capital a facelift.

The statement stated that “The recent uproar surrounding the proposed redevelopment of the Alagbaka Government Staff Quarters in Akure has been marked by half-truths, misinformation, and mischievous rhetoric aimed at discrediting a forward-thinking initiative of the Ondo State Government.

“As the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing, I deemed it necessary to clarify the facts and reaffirm the administration’s unwavering commitment to responsible urban renewal in line with global best practices and Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s sustainable infrastructure development agenda.

“The Alagbaka Staff Quarters, consisting of 69 bungalows of 53 residential units and 16 office units, was developed over 30 years ago and currently sits on 31.3 hectares, equivalent to approximately 481 standard land plots.

“Over the years, these structures have suffered neglect, with no significant renovation or infrastructural upgrade. The structures are now largely substandard, unsafe, and unsuitable for modern habitation.

“What this administration envisions is not just reconstruction, but a holistic transformation into a modern urban housing estate that reflects the aspirations of a 21st-century Ondo State.

“Contrary to the baseless propaganda being circulated by a few individuals, the Aiyedatiwa administration is not engaged in land grabbing. This project is a strategic component of the state’s Urban Regeneration and Infrastructure Optimization Plan.

“The current occupants, many of whom the quarters have been sublet to by the supposed valid occupants at exorbitant rates, represent less than one percent of the state’s workforce. The government is engaging labour leaders to ensure that those who will be affected are taken care of.

“The claim that government is rendering civil servants homeless is, therefore, a deliberate falsehood designed to stoke public sentiment against a project that is clearly in the best interest of the people.

“The mandate given to the Office of the Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing is clear: deliver sustainable, inclusive, and modern infrastructure that uplifts the quality of life in Ondo State.

“Under the “Our Ease” development framework, this administration is prioritizing safety, structural integrity, environmental sustainability, and aesthetic value in all infrastructure projects.

“The redevelopment of the Alagbaka Housing Units will stand as a legacy project, free from political manipulation, rooted in transparency, and executed with professional excellence.

“It is a bold statement that Ondo State is ready for true urban transformation, and no amount of distraction will derail that vision.”

LP Reps Slam Abure, Says Party Not Ponzi Scheme, Caucus Leadership Not By Appointment

James Orji

April 8, 2025

The House of Representatives Labour Party Caucus, has described as laughable, naive and misleading, the purported appointment of another lawmaker as caucus Leader by the embattled former national chairman of the party, Barrister Julius Abure.

In response to an earlier statement by the caucus which welcomed last Friday’s Supreme Court judgment and indicated willingness to work for the internal peace and progress of the party under the leadership of the National Caretaker Committee NCC, led by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, Abure yesterday announced the ‘sacking’ of Afam Victor Ogene as the caucus leader.

But the Labour Party Reps have emphasized that the position of a caucus Leader is not an office based on appointment; rather the Leader is chosen/elected by peers based on their own conviction of his/her leadership qualities and capacity to speak on their behalf in the overall interest of the party and the people they represent.

The caucus made this clarification in a statement on Tuesday, in response to several inquiries from the media and other party faithful arising from developments after the Supreme Court pronouncement sacking the LP chairman.

They stated that on May 6, 2023, a 35-member Labour Party caucus in the 10th Assembly of the House of Representatives elected Ogene as its Leader. Ogene, a ranking member from the 7th Assembly, emerged as the Labour Party leader with 21 votes, after a keenly contested election.

Although 34 Members-Elect of the Party were present at the voting session, only 31 of them took part in the exercise with the trio of Honourables Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, Obi Aguocha and Professor Lilian Oby Orogbu abstaining, being persons who conducted the exercise.

So, it’s only the members of the caucus who overwhelmingly elected him, that have the right to remove him as leader, not “an authoritarian power thirsty individual that’s still battling, without much success, to extricate himself from the muddy waters of multiple allegations of malfeasance,” the caucus said in a statement signed by Hon. Ogene on Tuesday.

It said further: “If Abure’s latest ill-advised tactics is because of the stand of the Caucus lauding the judgement of the Supreme court, which unequivocally declared that Abure’s tenure has long lapsed, then he is way off-mark, because that remains the majority position of LP House of Representatives members – a fact that would be reinforced on Wednesday, April 9, by the number of legislators that will attend the NEC/Stakeholders meeting convened by the Party’s National Leader, Mr. Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti.

“We need to let Abure know, and boldly too, that the Labour Party is a credible organization and not a ponzi scheme, because sadly, everything about his leadership style is all about forgery, money and more money. From Ebonyi, to Plateau, Ondo, Edo (where he embarrassed the party through his undignified episodes with the police), it’s all about slush funds and compromise of the integrity of the office of a party national chairman. Even in Anambra last week, the mention of the name Abure, has continued to emit a putrid smell of financial malfeasance.

“He may wish to tell Nigerians, and the world, what is at the centre of his feud with Eze Oko Splendour of Ebonyi State, Kenneth Imasuagbon in Edo, and the aspirants that took part in last weekend’s Anambra LP gubernatorial farce.

“It is appalling that a man who is yet to account for Party finances arising from the 2023 general elections, nor leaves any penny in the party’s account – despite raising hundreds of million naira in sale of forms and other gratifications in several off-season elections – would be so engrossed in wanting to access funds belonging to the House of Representatives Caucus, which only points to the depths Abure can go to in search of free funds to fund his new-found lifestyle.

“Ironically, no sane organ of the party would entrust the Supreme Court-sacked former national chairman with money, no matter how little, at least, until he is able to cleanse himself of the twin evil of allegations of forgery and pilfering party funds levied against him by former national treasurer of the LP, Oluchi Oparah. Funds belonging to the caucus are intact, and would only be deployed in a manner prescribed by members, not by the former chairman’s discretion.

“The Labour Party deserves a clean break from that integrity-deficient leadership history, to a future that all party faithful will be proud to associate with.”

Trump Tariff War: Tinubu Ministers, Edun, Oduwole Clash Over Impact On Nigeria’s Economy

James Orji

April 8, 2025

Wale Edun - Finance Minister — Wale Edun

President Donald Trumps’ recent hike in tariff on United States imports have divided Nigeria’s Ministers of Finance and Coordinating Minster of the Economy Wale Edun, and Minister of Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole.

As one of the US trading countries, Nigeria is among those hit with Trump’s tariff war, which has been widely criticised globally, even though Trump claimed he took the action because his country have been ‘cheated; for years by countries who imposed as much as 65 percent on goods coming from the US.

According to the details of the new Tariffs released by the US leader , on April 2, exports from Nigeria, including the oil and none-oil sectors will now attract 14 percent tariffs.

Speaking in Abuja on Monday, Edun said the new US tariffs regime will not have much impact on Nigeria’s exports, considering that the oil sector which constitutes over 90 percent of Nigeria’s export to the US is mostly insulated, unlike the non-oil sector which contributes 10 percent of US imports from Nigeria.

His counterpart in the Ministry of Trade and Investment had earlier claimed that the tariff hike will destabilise Nigeria’s $6 billion export to the US.

Oduwole said, “Nigeria also exports smaller quantities of agricultural products such as live plants, flour, and nuts, which account for less than 2 per cent 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.

“A new 10 per cent 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.”

Jumoke Oduwole — Oduwole: Tariff Will Destabilize Nigeria’s Economy

But speaking on Monday during the corporate governance forum organised by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, MOFI, in Abuja, the nation’s capital Edun said the nation’s oil sector is insulated by Trum’s sweeping tariffs.

According to him, the broader impact of the tariff will affect Nigeria because of the declining crude oil prices in the international market, adding that the Tinubu economic reform policy will go a long way to help Nigeria navigate the impacts of the new US tariff regime.

The minister pointer out that whatever the revenue shortfall as a result of the tariff, the federal government will make up using revenue form the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, adding that the administration is also considering as priority budget adjustment, expenditure prioritisation, and innovative non-debt financing strategies to suit the current realities.

Edun said, “Nigeria-US trade has been in surplus in the last three years (2022-2024).”

Adding, “Consequently, the tariff effect on exports is negligible if we sustain our oil and minerals export volume.

“The adverse effect on Nigeria will be through oil price plunge, and we are intensifying efforts to ramp up crude oil production to curtail any price effect.

“We are also focusing on non-oil revenue mobilisation by FIRS and Customs.

“Budget adjustment and prioritisation where possible, and also innovative non-debt financing strategies.”

Meanwhile, economic experts insist that the federal government must ensure that all hands are on deck to counter the new US tariff, to the nation’s benefit as other countries are currently doing, adding that Nigeria must face the reality of the dangers posed by the new regime to the nation’s economic progress.

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