Stakeholders are exploring strategies to help Nigeria navigate the impact of the 15 per cent U.S. tariffs on Nigerian goods. The discussions took place at a roundtable convened by the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) in partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
In the keynote address given by Nonye Ayeni, the Chief Executive Officer of the NEPC, it was noted that certain non-oil exports such as urea fertiliser, cocoa, cashew, beans, and other agricultural commodities were affected by the tariff.
“In 2024 alone, these exports were valued at over $313.9 million, representing a significant portion of our non-oil export earnings,” she noted.
During her address, she highlighted the importance of Nigeria’s trade with the US in terms of non-oil exports.
“The U.S. has consistently ranked among the top ten destinations for Nigerian non-oil exports… In just the first half of 2025, U.S.-bound exports have already reached $271 million, making it our second-largest non-oil export destination.”
Nonye also highlighted some of the initiatives taken by the NEPC to help Nigeria boost non-oil exports, a figure that had reached $3.225 billion in the first half of 2025.
Some of these initiatives include One State, One Product (OSOP), Operation Export, Buy Nigeria, and the establishment of model clusters such as farms.
Sheriff Balogun, the President of the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce, also spoke on three action steps that the NACC was advocating with the NEPC.
He highlighted the modernisation of trade logistics, as well as the strengthening of certification systems to ensure seamless compliance with U.S. standards. Sheriff also noted that the NACC was advocating for tariff equity through bilateral engagements with the U.S. government.
In his welcome address, Balogun noted, “Government action alone is not enough. We call on our exporters: showcase Nigeria’s quality and compete sustainably in the U.S. market. We call on our policymakers: continue to forge enabling policies that allow SMEs to thrive. And we call on our U.S. partners: join us in building a trade relationship that is not only balanced but mutually prosperous.”
The meeting also had in attendance the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, who was represented by one of her special advisers, Tochukwu Nwachukwu.
Tochukwu, speaking during a panel session, highlighted that Nigeria’s response to the U.S tariffs was responsive, not reactive. He highlighted that since the tariffs came into effect, the trade minister had met with the US ambassador four times.
