Since the full enforcement of Donald Trump’s tariff policy on April 2, 2025, more than 70% of shipments from Nigeria to the United States have been either blocked or delayed at U.S. airports, creating significant disruptions for exporters and importers.
Ini Daniel, Chief Commercial Officer of AAJ Express Logistics Limited, shared these concerns during a recent statement, revealing the serious consequences for those in the shipping and logistics sectors.
The new tariffs, which have severely impacted Nigerian exporters, have created a massive bottleneck in the movement of goods to the U.S. According to Daniel, cargo and courier companies are encountering extreme difficulties with U.S. customs clearance, resulting in major backlogs. The situation has become particularly dire in the airline industry, where carriers are reportedly being forced to offer discounts or even provide free returns due to the complications surrounding the new tariff enforcement. As confusion mounts, many exporters are left without clear explanations for the denials of their shipments.
These issues, however, are not exclusive to Nigerian exporters. The policy is impacting exporters from China, other African nations, and several European countries, many of whom are also facing similar obstacles in entering U.S. markets. Daniel further advised Nigerian exporters to suspend shipments to the U.S. until U.S. Customs and Border Protection clarifies the new guidelines and requirements for entry.
The tariff strategy, which Trump claims aims to address trade imbalances, unfair foreign tariffs, trade barriers, and alleged currency manipulation that harm U.S. businesses, has drawn international scrutiny. Under the new policy, countries that do not have specific trade agreements with the U.S. are now subject to a 10% baseline tariff on all imports. The idea behind reciprocal tariffs is straightforward: if a country imposes high tariffs on U.S. goods, the U.S. will impose a similar tariff on goods from that country. For African nations like Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya, which have long-standing trade relationships with the U.S., this policy threatens to drastically alter economic ties.
In the broader context, Trump has initiated bilateral trade talks with over 75 countries, while also imposing hefty tariffs on countries like Vietnam (46%) and the Philippines (17%), before later reducing these tariffs to 10% for a three-month period. Manufacturers have raised concerns that U.S. orders for their products have dried up, particularly following the sharp 145% increase in tariffs on Chinese imports.
While trade disruptions continue to cause frustration for Nigerian exporters, the situation takes on added complexity with the growing influence of the U.S. in Nigerian politics.
Meanwhile, Primate Elijah Ayodele, the spiritual leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday about the US government’s influence in Nigerian politics, particularly with regard to Tinubu’s plans to run for a second term in 2027, according to the Daily Post.
In a statement released through his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the cleric revealed that the U.S. government is poised to be the most formidable opposition to Tinubu’s re-election bid and cautioned the president not to underestimate the gravity of this threat.
According to Primate Ayodele, the U.S. has hidden motives behind its increasing interest in Nigerian politics, and these motives are directly tied to undermining President Tinubu’s efforts to secure a second term.
The prophet warned that if Tinubu does not take the situation seriously and remains unaware of the geopolitical strategies at play, it could ultimately jeopardize his political future. According to Primate Ayodele, the U.S. has hidden motives behind its increasing interest in Nigerian politics, and these motives are directly tied to undermining President Tinubu’s efforts to secure a second term.
The prophet warned that if Tinubu does not take the situation seriously and remains unaware of the geopolitical strategies at play, it could ultimately jeopardize his political future. Primate Ayodele stated that President Tinubu must exercise great caution and remain vigilant, as the American government is working to unite forces against his bid for a second term.
He emphasized that this threat is not mere speculation but a spiritual insight he has received. “From what I am seeing, the US government would be Tinubu’s major opposition in 2027,” he added. The spiritual leader underscored that this message should not be dismissed or treated lightly. He stressed that he is not speaking from a political standpoint but from what he has spiritually discerned “If he likes, he can joke with this warning, but he is the one who has everything to lose. I am only delivering what I have seen,” Ayodele stated, pointing out that the potential consequences of ignoring this warning could be disastrous for Tinubu.
Primate Ayodele also advised President Tinubu to redirect his focus. While Nigerian political parties and internal opposition may seem like the obvious challenge, he insisted that the real threat lies outside the country.
He noted that, based on his spiritual vision, no Nigerian politician or party currently poses a serious challenge to Tinubu’s re-election bid. Instead, it is foreign interference particularly from the U.S. that should concern the president most. “He needs to be very careful about external involvements in Nigerian politics; they are seriously planning against him,” Ayodele warned again, emphasizing that the interference is calculated and intentional. The prophet urged President Tinubu to prioritize monitoring international influences over domestic political threats as 2027 approaches
