President Donald J. Trump is actively reshaping the global political landscape, navigating the tension between globalization and fragmentation to establish a new order in the United States and, by extension, the world.

Before delving further into this discussion, I must disclose that I am an unapologetic supporter of the 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. My support stems from my belief that he is undeniably a catalyst for change.

Many, including Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris, have accused Trump of seeking to dismantle democracy. However, a more accurate assessment is that he is challenging the status quo in Washington through radical policy shifts. While Democrats frame his actions as a threat to democracy, I see this as a misleading narrative.

Despite the alarm raised by his opponents, American voters prioritized economic concerns—rising inflation, the high cost of living, soaring housing prices, and the influx of undocumented immigrants—over the warnings about democracy. It was these pressing issues that motivated voters to support Trump’s return to the White House.

The more than 77 million Americans who voted for him did so because they believe he was elected to address what they see as a “woke” and financially struggling America. According to the Oxford Dictionary, “woke” refers to those who are socially aware but is often used pejoratively to describe individuals perceived as self-righteous or overly dogmatic in their advocacy.

True to his promises, Trump wasted no time in implementing his agenda. During his inauguration, he took a strong stance against “woke” ideology by affirming that the U.S. Constitution recognizes only two genders—male and female—a direct challenge to the LGBTQ+ community. He has since followed through on his pledges by signing a series of executive orders aimed at radically reshaping America.

From my perspective, Trump is simply fulfilling the commitments he made during his campaign. The backlash from those negatively affected by his policies is therefore unsurprising, yet it should not overshadow the fact that he is delivering the change that millions of Americans willingly voted for, believing it will restore the country’s greatness.

As someone who embraces change, I am excited to see a leader who challenges the status quo in public leadership finally take charge. That leader is Donald J. Trump, who has now assumed office in the White House, the seat of U.S. political power.

As the leader of the free world, the U.S. exerts enormous influence on global affairs, reinforcing the popular saying: when America sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold. This is evident in Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on key trading partners—25% on Mexico, 25% on general goods plus Canadian 10% on Canadian oil, and 10% on China—primarily to curb illegal immigration and combat the flow of fentanyl, a deadly drug ravaging American communities.

Before Trump even took office, his threats of tariff hikes caused global concern. However, World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, urged caution: “I am concerned, but my approach is to stay calm. Let’s wait to see what policies are actually enacted before overreacting.”

Despite this advice, some countries affected by the new tariffs —especially Mexico and Canada—have already announced retaliatory tariffs, raising fears of an all-out trade war. Meanwhile, China has opted for a legal approach, filing complaints against the U.S. through the WTO.

As the head of the WTO, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala will play a crucial role in resolving this looming global trade conflict. Given her extensive experience—including her tenure at the World Bank and her ongoing second term as WTO chief—there is hope that she can help de-escalate tensions.

Anticipating the economic impact of the trade war, President Trump has urged Americans to brace for temporary hardships, acknowledging that tariffs might contribute to inflation. However, he remains confident that the outcome will ultimately benefit the country, declaring: “This will be the golden age of America. Will there be some pain? Yes. But we will make America great again, and it will be worth the price.”

This sentiment is reminiscent of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s remarks when he removed the long-standing fuel subsidy and floated the naira, leading to economic hardship for Nigerians. He reassured the nation, saying: “I understand that our people are suffering, but there can be no childbirth without pain. The joy of childbirth is the baby. Relief comes after the pain. Nigeria is being reborn.”

Trump’s policies signal a fundamental shift away from globalization—a concept introduced between 1870 and 1914 and later popularized in 1983 by economist Theodore Levitt in “The Globalization of Markets.” The current global order, shaped by decades of economic integration, now faces disruption under Trump’s America First doctrine, which prioritizes national interests over international cooperation.

Interestingly, Trump’s long-held stance on tariffs is not new. In a resurfaced 1978 interview with Oprah Winfrey, he expressed similar views, making it clear that his current trade policies have been decades in the making.

While trade wars typically harm weaker economies (when elephants fight, the grass suffers), Africa might stand to benefit from this geopolitical shift. As tensions escalate among major trading partners—U.S., Canada, Mexico, and China—Africa, historically seen as merely a source of raw materials, could emerge as an alternative manufacturing hub.

For instance, Nigeria’s oil exports to the U.S. declined significantly under President Barack Obama, with Canada and Mexico becoming America’s top crude suppliers. However, if the trade war leads to disruptions in North American oil exports, Trump may turn back to Nigeria, currently the 8th largest supplier, to fill the gap.

Rather than viewing Trump’s policies as purely negative, it may be worth considering the potential opportunities they create for Africa. Instead of getting caught up in narratives of doom and gloom, could this be a moment for the continent to reposition itself as a key player in the evolving global trade landscape?

It is time for the world to recognize that Africa is not a problem to be solved but a vital part of the global solution. The continent holds vast reserves of critical minerals essential for the energy transition that the world desperately seeks. Rather than being viewed merely as a supplier of raw materials, Africa should be seen as a prime destination for investment and industrial partnerships.

There is a well-known economic principle that a rising tide lifts all boats and yachts. In that spirit, industrialized nations like the U.S. and China must acknowledge that Africa—home to 54 countries and a population of approximately 1.5 billion, larger than China’s 1.3 billion and rivaling India’s 1.4 billion—is not a charity case but an investment opportunity.

As a long-time advocate for Africa’s economic resurgence, I have consistently argued that the continent needs trade, not aid. It is imperative that major global economies shift their perception of Africa from a passive recipient of aid to an active economic partner. Historically, Africa has been exploited—most notably through the partitioning of the continent at the 1884–1885 Berlin Conference, where European powers divided African territories for their own benefit. As a result, Africa has remained marginalized in global trade, accounting for less than 3% of total global trade, despite having 18% of the world’s population.

To secure a greater share of global trade, Africa must be integrated into the evolving international economic order. Without disruptions to the existing system—such as those triggered by President Trump’s policies—meaningful change is unlikely. Given the resistance Africa has faced in its bid to gain a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, a fundamental shift in global power structures, like the one Trump is advocating, may be necessary for Africa to be taken seriously as a key player in international trade.

At this moment in history, the world may actually benefit from the tensions between defenders of the entrenched old order and leaders like Trump, who are determined to shake up the system. Since assuming office on January 20, 2025, Trump has been implementing the bold changes he promised during his campaign. In my assessment, the mandate given to him by American voters provides a unique opportunity to push for a rebalancing of global trade and governance.

Throughout history, transformative change has always required bold action. If astronauts had not pushed boundaries, Neil Armstrong would never have walked on the moon in 1969, a breakthrough that reshaped human understanding of the universe. Similarly, astronomer Galileo’s discoveries challenged the belief that the Earth was flat, paving the way for modern scientific thought. It is this same drive for progress that appears to be fueling Trump’s disruptive approach to governance.

Keyu Jin, a professor of economics and author of The New China Playbook, recently highlighted a growing shift in global trade patterns, noting that China and other nations have been diversifying their markets away from the U.S. even before the current tariff wars. Trump’s policies are merely accelerating this trend. In Europe, for instance, we are seeing a rise in nationalist-leaning leaders, particularly in France and Germany, who are also prioritizing domestic interests over globalism.

This geopolitical realignment is further evident in the expansion of BRICS—a coalition of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—which has recently welcomed new members like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Egypt. As more countries join BRICS to counterbalance U.S. influence, efforts to reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar in global trade may intensify. If America continues using tariffs as a tool to pressure its trading partners, it risks pushing them further toward alternative alliances, potentially diminishing its own economic influence.

For Africa, this shifting landscape presents an opportunity. If trade flows are redirected away from the U.S., Africa could gain a larger share of global commerce—but only if the continent positions itself strategically. With the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), headquartered in Ghana, Africa is already laying the groundwork to take advantage of this new world order.

While Trump’s critics have valid concerns about the potential risks of his sweeping policy changes—particularly the hardship caused by the deportation of undocumented immigrants and disruptions in U.S. aid to Africa—it is also worth considering the potential long-term benefits of a restructured global economy.

The changes unfolding in global trade could open up unprecedented opportunities for Africa. If the continent plays its cards right, it could emerge as a major beneficiary of the ongoing shake-up. So, instead of viewing Trump’s policies solely through the lens of crisis, perhaps it is time to explore how Africa can leverage this moment to secure a more equitable role in the global economy.

A US based Nigerian Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe describes Trump’s leadership as a “tsunami-earthquake-storm” approach, highlighting the unprecedented nature of shutting down USAID. According to him, this move signals a clear message to the world—that America has no obligation to fund or influence other nations through soft power. However, he suggests that this could actually be a positive development if African leaders step up and take responsibility.

He further explains how foreign aid often distorts markets and hinders sustainable development. For instance, an entrepreneur might develop a viable product in healthcare, education, or agriculture, only for an aid agency to introduce a similar product for free. This forces local businesses to shut down, and once the aid funds disappear after a few years, communities are left worse off, having lost both the external support and the local solutions that were once in place.

Rather than panicking over these funding cuts, Professor Ekekwe urges African governments to seize the opportunity by creating systems to identify and assist citizens in need. He argues that without external interference, local businesses can step in to fill market gaps, and governments can provide targeted support to those who truly require it. He points out that Africa has a long history of self-reliance and should return to indigenous solutions rather than depending on unpredictable foreign aid.

This perspective aligns with the arguments earlier made by economist Dr. Dambisa Moyo in her ground breaking book "Dead Aid", where she contends that Western aid has done more harm than good in Africa.

Considering Trump’s repeated assertion that his second term marks a “golden age” for America, it is possibly a golden age for Africa too as the continent could benefit—if it strategically positions itself to take advantage of the shifting global order being shaped by Trump’s policies.

Magnus Onyibe, a public policy analyst, author, democracy advocate, development strategist, alumnus of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA, and a former commissioner in the Delta State government, (2003-2007) sent this piece from Lagos, Nigeria. 

Some marketers believe the price cut was a strategic response to warnings from traders who were considering importing cheaper foreign PMS due to its lower cost compared to locally refined products.

In a statement, Dangote Group‘s Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, explained that the decision was made in response to global energy market trends and a decline in international crude oil prices.

He also emphasized that the price adjustment aims to ensure that Nigerian consumers benefit from changes in global crude prices.

The company has urged marketers to pass on the benefits of the reduction to the public.

While the price reduction is welcomed by consumers, marketers who purchased fuel before the price drop are now forced to sell at a loss, potentially incurring millions of naira in debts.

Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Hammed Fashola, acknowledged the pros and cons of the situation.

He stated: “For instance, a marketer who purchased stock on Friday likely hasn’t sold it all before the price drop. That’s the downside. But, we have to live with it—that’s the beauty of deregulation.”

He noted that competition would force marketers to lower prices, even if they initially bought at higher rates.

“If you don’t reduce your price, nearby marketers who buy at the new rate will. Within days, you’ll have no buyers unless you adjust,” Fashola explained to The PUNCH.

He also dismissed the idea of stakeholder consultations before price adjustments, stating that in a competitive market, price fluctuations are inevitable.

Fashola suggested that the price cut was a direct response to threats by importers who claimed foreign PMS was cheaper than Dangote’s refined fuel.

“If Dangote had not reduced prices, imported fuel would have dominated the market. The reality is, businesses must respond to market forces. It’s good for the sector and, ultimately, for the public,” he noted.

He also emphasized that locally refined PMS should logically be cheaper than imported fuel since Dangote sources crude in naira, eliminating foreign exchange constraints and transportation costs.

NNPC Expected to Follow Suit

With Dangote Refinery lowering its price, analysts predict that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited will also have to adjust its pricing to remain competitive.

“If NNPC doesn’t cut prices, who will buy from them? They have to respond to market realities,” Fashola added.

Confirming this possibility, National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Billy Gillis-Harry, stated that NNPC might soon adjust its price due to competitive pressure.

“The Dangote refinery’s decision benefits citizens and the economy. Reduced fuel costs will ease Nigerians’ financial burden, lower transportation expenses, and stimulate economic activity,” Gillis-Harry said.

Impact on the Economy

Economic analysts believe that the drop in fuel prices could have positive ripple effects: Lower transportation costs, reducing the price of goods and services; Increased consumer purchasing power, freeing up income for essential needs; Boosted economic activity, as businesses can operate with reduced logistics costs; Potential reduction in inflation, as fuel price drops influence overall cost-of-living trends.

Marketers Struggling with Financial Losses

Despite the potential long-term benefits, petroleum marketers face immediate losses, as they are forced to sell below cost.

IPMAN National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, recalled that when Dangote Refinery entered the market in early 2024, it crashed diesel prices, leaving marketers with unsellable high-cost stock.

“This is why marketers fear lifting fuel now. Price instability can lead to collateral losses, especially for those who took loans to finance bulk purchases,” Ukadike explained.

He noted that during previous price crashes, marketers received no compensation, forcing them to sell at a loss.

“No one repays marketers for their losses when prices drop. It’s the nature of the business, and we have to adapt,” he stated.

[NaijaNews]

The tariff and imminent trade war orchestrated by US President Donald Trump against Canada, China and Mexico may heighten imported inflation for Nigeria and some African countries.

Economic and financial experts say Trump’s action could also cause a fall in the price of crude oil.

Trump had on Saturday signed an executive order, imposing new tariffs, including a 25 percent duty on all imports from Mexico and most products from Canada, along with a 10 percent tariff on goods imported from China.

According to the Trump administration, the tariffs are aimed at curbing the flow of drugs and undocumented immigrants into the US. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the sweeping tariffs he imposed on Mexico, Canada and China may cause “some pain” for Americans.

In swift response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced retaliatory tariffs, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced “far-reaching” levies targeting American goods.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government said it would be filing a formal complaint to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the U.S. over President Trump’s decision to impose new tariffs on imports.

China’s ministry of commerce promised to take necessary countermeasures to safeguard its interests.

“The unilateral tariff hikes by the US seriously violate World Trade Organisation rules,” the ministry said.

While experts see opportunities for countries with manufacturing capabilities to explore the trade war to their advantage, they doubted the capacity of Nigeria to exploit opportunities from the trade war, since the country is not a producing economy but import-dependent.

In a telephone interview with LEADERSHIP yesterday, the chief executive of Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf, said the tariff slammed on countries such as Canada, China and Mexico may lead to heightened imported inflation for Nigeria.

According to him, despite the tariff being a bilateral issue, it will disrupt global trade which will have implications for the global economy in the long run because of the size of the economies involved.

For Nigeria, he noted that the tariff will spark inflation in the U.S., affecting the price of imported goods from the country into Nigeria.

“Secondly, if there is inflation in the U.S. which is more likely to happen, the U.S. Fed is likely to raise interest rates, and when they do this, Nigeria will have issues with foreign portfolio investments (FPIs).

“So there is the issue of the inflationary effect transmitted to us by way of effect on our FPIs. There is also the issue of inflationary effect arising from our import from the U.S.  which we do not have much alternative for,” he said.

Yusuf pointed out that the trade war may depress the global economy, and lead to the development of new trade partnership, adding that manufacturing countries that are not slammed with the tariffs would be better for it.

Professor Michael Obadan, a former Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) member noted that Nigeria’s level of exports had become quite inconsequential that the country may not be able to tap into the opportunities present in the trade war. Expressing pessimism about Nigeria’s readiness to exploit any opportunity, he said, “One will expect that if America is reducing its volume of trade with the countries affected in the tariff war, it may want to import from other countries that have not been imposed with such tariffs.

“If Nigeria were a manufacturing country and we had the capacity to manufacture and the goods are similar to the ones tariffed, it would have been an opportunity for Nigeria to increase its volume of exports and earn more foreign exchange.”

He noted that Nigeria’s economic environment was hostile to manufacturing because of the reform policies implemented in the last few years.

“Many manufacturing companies have departed the country, particularly the foreign ones, and those in the country are just struggling to produce. They are producing goods at very, very high costs because the operating environment is very hostile, and such goods are not competitive, even within the country, not to talk of abroad.

“Nigeria is not in a good position to take advantage of any trade opportunity that might be tariff war initiated by America. Nigeria is a bad shape at the moment in the area of production, particularly production of manufactured goods and agricultural goods. Trade war involves manufactured goods, mostly, maybe some extent, agricultural goods,” he said.

For his part, the chief executive of Economic Associates, Dr. Ayo Teriba, sees the potential threat of disruption by President Donald Trump as empty and only temporary at best.

He noted that the world had changed and countries were better prepared to absorb the shocks of tariffs and other trade restrictions.

According to him, the USA is just a country of 350 million people against the likes of China and India, and other countries that constitute the BRICS nations.

He also said the USA did not belong to any economic bloc, yet Trump was threatening countries that belong to BRICS, made up of billions in population, noting that if these countries were to retaliate, it would be the American economy that would suffer the most.

“If you restrict their sales to your country they will end up restricting your own sales to more than two billion people. Who is going to lose more? When it comes to trade war, I think America is more vulnerable than Trump is imagining.

“I see what Trump is doing as empty threat; after about three months from now, the reality will begin to dawn on him,” he said.

A frontrunner for the prime ministerial position in Canada, former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, in an interview with the CNN’s Global Public Square presenter, Fareed Zakaria, yesterday stated that by slamming trade restrictions on Canada, the USA was shooting itself in the leg as it depends on Canada for a huge chunk of its trade.

A development economist at Adeleke University, Professor Tayo Bello, believes the ongoing trade tensions should serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria to intensify its backward integration efforts.

“Trump is enforcing backward integration in America to protect jobs and industries. Nigeria should be doing the same. We have abundant agricultural land, yet we are net importers of food. We have vast crude oil reserves, yet we import refined petroleum products. The government must prioritise self-reliance and local production,” he said.

But chief executive of AntHill Concepts Ltd, Dr. Emeka Okengwu, insists that Nigeria must take advantage of this shift.

“Nobody holds absolute economic power anymore. Even though the U.S. is a dominant force, other economies are adjusting. The BRICS nations, for example, are strengthening their economic ties, and they are already some of the biggest buyers of Nigeria’s crude oil. We should leverage these relationships and move from just exporting raw materials to adding value through local refining and industrial processing,” he said.

A financial economist at Auchi Polytechnic, Zakari Mohammed, sees both risks and opportunities in Trump’s policies.

“A weaker naira could make Nigerian exports more competitive in international markets, but it also makes imports more expensive, increasing inflation. The key for Nigeria is to reduce its import dependency and build a self-sufficient economy. If we fail to do so, global economic disruptions like this will always leave us vulnerable,” he said.

On his part, chief executive of Cowry Assets Management Company, Mr Johnson Chukwu, noted that the tariffs would lead to an increase in the cost of goods and services, because countries are going to build barriers.

“The principle of competitive advantage will be jettisoned and this means everybody will try to produce everything, even when the costs of producing those things in their localities are higher.

“Donald Trump is pushing for improved oil production in the U.S. and he has also said he is going to disrupt the OPEC+ Alliance, and get Saudi Arabia to produce more. When that happens, we should expect crude prices to drop. And because Nigeria doesn’t have capacity to compensate for the drop in terms of increased production, our foreign exchange will slow down.

“Ordinarily, if you can compensate for a drop in price by increasing volume, you will not so much feel the impact but we are not in that position. So what that means is that Nigeria’s foreign exchange inflow will be negatively impacted.”

The director-general of National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Sola Obadimu said Nigeria needs to develop its trade policy that will favour and protect the nation as other nations are doing.

“Those in charge of our trade policy should bring out policy that will protect us,” he said.

The vice president of Highcap Securities Limited, Mr. David Adonri, said by the trade war and violent threats of acquisition of independent countries, the United States of America is dislocating the world’s socio-economic order.

“The tariffs war may eventually provoke global hyperinflation and perhaps lead to recession,” he stated.

Adonri further noted that there is the possibility of a precipitous fall in the price of crude oil amidst this battle, which may batter the Nigerian economy.

“The U.S. is pursuing a covert isolationist policy aimed at revitalising their domestic production capacity.

“The impact of the policy on Nigeria can be very devastating if it adversely affects diaspora remittances and crude oil price. The situation is deteriorating very fast and if Nigeria does not react proactively by domesticating the economy like the U.S. is doing, the consequences may be very dire.”

Opportunities for Nigeria and Other Exporting Nations

While the trade war between the U.S. and its partners presents economic challenges, analysts believe it could create new export opportunities for countries like Nigeria

Speaking with LEADERSHIP yesterday, economic sector analyst, Stephen Kanabe said as U.S. tariffs will make goods from China, Mexico, and Canada more expensive, Nigeria can position itself as an alternative supplier, especially in sectors like oil, agricultural products, and manufactured goods.

Companies looking to avoid tariffs may shift production to Nigeria or source raw materials from Nigerian industries, boosting local manufacturing and job creation.

“With disrupted trade flows, Nigerian products (such as crude oil, agricultural exports, and textiles) may become more attractive to U.S. buyers seeking cost-effective alternatives to goods from China, Mexico, and Canada,” he stated.

However, a former member of the Monetary Policy Committee, Professor Michael Obadan, said Nigeria’s level of exports had become quite inconsequential that the country may not be able to tap into the opportunities present in the trade war.

Expressing pessimism on Nigeria’s readiness to exploit any opportunity, he said, “One will expect that if America is reducing its volume of trade with the countries affected in the tariff war, it may want to import from other countries that have not been imposed with such tariffs.

“If Nigeria is a manufacturing country and we have the capacity to manufacture and the goods are similar to the ones tariffed, it would have been an opportunity for Nigeria to increase its volume of exports and earn more foreign exchange.

“Nigeria’s economic environment is hostile to manufacturing because of the reform policies implemented in the last few years. Many manufacturing companies have departed the country, particularly the foreign ones, and those in the country are just struggling to produce. They are producing goods at very, very high cost because the operating environment is very hostile, and such goods are not competitive, even within the country, not to talk of abroad.

“Nigeria is not in a good position to take advantage of any trade opportunity that might be tariff war initiated by America. Nigeria is in a bad shape at the moment in the area of production, particularly production of manufactured goods and agricultural goods. The Trade War involves manufactured goods, mostly, maybe to some extent, agricultural goods.”

Economic analyst Jimoh Solomon Sule suggests that the situation could lead to increased export demand for non-U.S. suppliers, and trade diversion as companies seek alternative sourcing options. Apart from that, he said more foreign direct investment (FDI) will go to countries with strong manufacturing bases.

“Nigeria’s competitiveness could improve as disruptions in global trade force buyers to look for alternative suppliers,” Sule explained.

Crude oil, one of Nigeria’s primary exports, could become a viable alternative for U.S. importers seeking to offset changes in their trade relationships.

Trump Receives Flak

A barrage of condemnations has rained down on United States President Donald Trump following his decision to impose stiff tariffs on imports from neighbouring countries, Mexico and Canada, as well as its largest supplier of goods, China.

According to analysts, Trump’s new tariffs could drive up the prices of everyday goods, from cars and sneakers to tequila and avocados.

Trade between North America and the U.S. hit $1.8 trillion in 2023—far surpassing the $643 billion with China. Trump’s new decision imposes a 10 percent tariff on all Chinese imports and 25 percent on those from Mexico and Canada, with a lower 10 percent rate on Canadian energy.

The U.S. imports billions in cars and parts from Canada and Mexico, with vehicles crossing borders multiple times during production. Experts warn a 25 percent tariff could add $3,000 to car prices.

Also, Canada, America’s largest crude oil supplier, ships billions in oil that U.S. refineries rely on. Tariffs could push gas prices up by 30-70 cents per gallon.

The U.S. imports billions in tequila, mezcal, and Canadian whisky. Retaliatory tariffs could further hurt the spirits industry, which already faces a 50% EU tariff on American whiskey. The U.S. buys $85 billion in farm goods from Canada and Mexico, including most imported fruits and vegetables. A 25% tariff would mean pricier groceries, including “guacamole tariffs” just before the Super Bowl.

Past tariff wars led to retaliatory measures on U.S. crops like soybeans and corn, forcing the government to compensate farmers. While Trump delivered aid before, many farmers prefer open markets over government checks.

 [Leadership]

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has honoured 19 generals, six professors and 10 other Kano citizens who have excelled in their chosen careers.

The state banquet in honour of the distinguished Kano sons and daughters was held at the government house Saturday night.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Yusuf congratulated those honoured for reaching significant milestones in their respective fields, emphasizing that their achievements have been instrumental to the socio-economic development of the state and the nation.

The governor, who said the event was non-partisan, assured the guests that the celebration was purely in recognition of their professional excellence, expressing his administration’s commitment to work hand in hand with the leaders without any political interference.

“You are great professionals of record, and it is this spirit of selfless service that we want to encourage and celebrate,” he said.

The governor encouraged the younger generation to pursue education and careers in various fields such as the military, police, civil service, judiciary and others, noting that would help Kano State continue to produce nationally and internationally recognised talents.

He expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the event’s success, including the federal government for its support in promoting Kano’s indigenous talent.

Earlier, the chairman of the organising committee, Mohammed Jamu, explained that the event was to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Kano’s sons and daughters – individuals who have represented the state with distinction across various fields.

On his part, the leader of all imams in Nigeria, Sheikh Nasir Muhammad Adam, challenged the awardees to ensure mentorship of upcoming ones in their chosen careers.

The awardees are Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, Major General M. S. Ahmed, Major General I. S  Ali, Major General A. M. Garba, Major General Sani Sumaila Ibrahim, Major General B. U. Yahya, Major General S. Y. Bashir, Major General U. B. Abubakar, Major General Faruk Mijinyawa and Major General Jamal Abdulsalam.

Other military officers include Air Vice Marshal M. Yusuf, Air Vice Marshal G. A. Bello, Air Vice Marshal B. R. Mamman, Air Vice Marshal S. K. Usman, Air Vice Marshal M. S. Ibrahim, Air Vice Marshal K. M. Umar, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmad, Rear Admiral Aliyu Gaya and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas.

Also awarded were Prof. Shehu Ahmad Said Galadanci, CON, Dr Nasiru Sani Gwarzo, Yakubu Adamu Kofar Mata, DIG Dasuki Galadanchi, DDG DSS, Alhaji Ado Muazu, Prof. Umma Abdullahi, Prof. Hadiza Galadanci, Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, Prof. Hamisu Armayau Bichi, Prof. Sagir Adamu Abass and CP Hajiya Hauwa Ibrahim.

Others were Dr Rislanuddeen Muhammad, Eng. Mustapha Balarabe Shehu, Arc. Hauwa Hassan Tudunwada, Ado Kabiru Minjibir Mni and Marwan Mustapha Adamu mni.

[DailyTrust]

At some point this week, it felt as if Victor Boniface was destined to leave Bayer Leverkusen to Al Nassr.

The two clubs opened talks over a possible transfer, as the Saudi Pro League side sought to replace Anderson Talisca, who has since signed for Fenerbahçe.

The news came out of nowhere, as Boniface only signed a contract extension with the Bundesliga champions until 2026 last week.

The deal made the Super Eagles forward one of the top earners at Leverkusen.

Despite renewing his contract, the 24-year-old was, however, not considered unsellable by the Bundesliga champions.

Boniface even missed Tuesday’s training session and some reports claim his bags were packed to travel to the Middle East.

All that was left was for Al Nassr to proceed with the final processes of the deal, after agreeing a transfer fee of more than €60m.

The 24-year-old was set to earn an eye watering €15m net per season.

But the deal eventually collapsed.

Al Nassr were also in negotiations with Aston Villa for Jhon Duran and opted to splash €77million on the 21-year-old.

The Colombian striker was officially unveiled on Friday, as the Saudi transfer window slam shut.

“Transfer rumours are normal in football,” Boniface, who has since returned to Leverkusen training, told SportsBoom.

“It’s always flattering when big clubs show interest, but my focus right now is 100% on Bayer Leverkusen.

“A lot of calculations have also happened here and there, but I love playing here, and I want to give my best to the team.

“What happens in the future will happen, but for now, my mind is only on helping Leverkusen achieve our goals.”

The saga has triggered a lot of conversations on and off social media, as to if Boniface should have even considered the move.

“It’s understandable. As much as I don’t like it, the reality is that football is a job for many,” Deji Faremi, co-owner of Busy Buddies and a sports analyst, tells DAILY POST.

“Especially considering where a guy like Boniface is coming from, you can see how and why that sort of move would interest him.

“An opportunity to earn more than three times what you currently earn is very tempting.

“Unless you have great belief in yourself to maintain a certain level that would make you attractive (and in line to earn that much) for years, you have to think about it,” he added.

But why did Al Nassr pick Duran over Boniface.

“Hard to tell. Duran is a younger option,” Faremi explains.

“But maybe he was also more interested in joining them. Boniface is easily the better player though. They have missed out on an excellent player.”

There are insinuations that a move to the Middle East would have affected Boniface’s chances of playing for the Super Eagles.

In the absence of Victor Osimhen, Boniface has failed to impress for the national team. And leaving Europe might have seen his stocks drop further.

“I don’t think so,” Faremi responds sharply.

“The level in Saudi is quite good and we’ve seen many players like Ronaldo, Kante remain important members of their national teams despite playing in Saudi Arabia.

“That’s another reason why it would have made a lot of sense if he moved. There was nothing to lose, except maybe a chance to be the best player in the world.”

So what next for Boniface?

Faremi adds: “If he’s turned down the offer – and not the other way round – it could suggest he would rather play in Europe, hunt for bigger and more prestigious trophies, and make a name for himself at the highest level.

“He could still make all that money Saudi are offering if he can find the form he had at the start of last season, and make a big money move to England or even Italy.”

[DailyPost]

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready for any challenge from opposition leaders during the 2027 general election, the Presidency said yesterday.

It faulted comments by the political opponents against the administration, describing them as “distracting” and “Machiavellian.”

The Presidency advised the leading opposition figures and other critics – Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and Mr. Rotimi Amaechi – to wait till the next poll before they flex muscles.

According to the Presidency, the activities of the opposition leaders are premature.

“This is 2025, not 2027. Let those who want to test their popularity with Nigerians wait for the next election,” Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, said.

Also peeping into the future, former House of Representatives Speaker and ex-governor of Katsina State, Bello Masari, said there was no alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Former member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, Salihu Lukman, said some of the opposition figures lacked the quality of leadership, urging them to drop their presidential ambitions.

He said: “Based on their records, they exhibit intolerant dispositions and poor relationships on account of which they have mismanaged their transitions and are today hardly in control of political structures in their states.”

At a two-day democracy conference in Abuja, Atiku, 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Obi, and former Katsina State Governor El-Rufai fired salvos at the Federal Government, saying that it was not living to expectation.

Atiku alleged that the ruling party had doled out N50 million as a bribe to each of the opposition parties to disorganise and silence their leadership.

El-Rufai, a chieftain of APC, alleged a lack of internal democracy and active party structures within the ruling party.

“I no longer recognise the APC. No party organ has met in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing. You don’t even know if it is a one-man show; it’s a zero-man show,” he said.

Amaechi called for “brutal force” to take from President Tinubu in 2027, adding that if he had been president, he would have run the country differently.

Taking an exception to the comments, Dare, in a post on his verified X handle, urged Nigerians to scrutinise the antecedents of these politicians.

He described the attacks on the Tinubu Administration as predictable attempts to stir controversy while the President was away in Tanzania addressing Nigeria’s energy challenges.

“While the President was seeking solutions to Nigeria’s energy problems in Dar es Salaam, some ‘wannabes’ were heating up the polity,” Dare added.

The Special Adviser described the recent Abuja gathering as an effort to spread ill will, noting that some participants resorted to undemocratic rhetoric.

“Expectedly, it was a gathering convened to further spread ill will.

“Nothing new came out of the gathering different from the opposition script we are used to,” Dare stressed.

He urged Nigerians to scrutinise the antecedents of these “political gladiators” and choose between “political hecklers and real progressives.”

Dare emphasised that President Tinubu remains focused on his mandate to improve the lives of Nigerians and build a resilient economy, despite the distractions.

“The only conversation he wants to have now is how to improve the lives of Nigerian citizens and constructive discourse on building a resilient economy,” he said.

Dare assured Nigerians that President Tinubu, an “avowed democrat,” remains “undistracted and unperturbed” by the opposition’s tactics.

Masari: No credible alternative to APC

Masari said that there was no credible alternative to the APC administration.

He spoke in Kafur, Kafur Local Government Area, during the flag-off of the campaign for the Katsina State local government elections scheduled for February 15.

He said: “The news making rounds in the social media that some politicians are teaming up for merger is nothing but regrouping of those who lost political favours in the APC, in terms of appointments or patronage.

“Their attempt to form an alliance will not divert the attention of APC from conceiving and implementing programmes that could assuage the pains of the common man.”

Masari urged Nigerians to exercise more patience with the APC administration, adding that the harsh economic hardship is a global phenomenon.

He added: “I am in APC today, tomorrow and always because I am not in the party for any political position or appointment.”

The former governor urged  APC loyalists to propagate the good works and ideals of the party, pleading with them to take any shortcoming as a human error.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Political Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir-Masari, urged APC members to close ranks and work assiduously to ensure the success of the party at all times.

He said the president had awarded a contract for the reconstruction and upgrading of  the Zaria/Malumfashi/Funtua/Yashe Roads, in a bid to facilitate socio-economic activities.

The presidential aide also said the president had approved the establishment of a Federal College of Agricultural at Nabanje, Masari.

He added: “I can assure you that more developmental projects will be awarded to the people of the area in due course.”

‘Amaechi’s remarks inflammatory’

The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) chided Amaechi for making inflammatory remarks about the Tinubu administration.

It hailed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, who warned the former Rivers governor against rhetorics.

AYCF President-General, Yerima Shettima, said Amaechi incited violence to destabilise the country.

Shettima said Matawalle had sent a clear message that such behaviour would not be tolerated and that those who engage in it would face consequences.

He said leaders at all levels should take a firm stand against any form of speech that could lead to violence or civil unrest.

Shettima said Amaechi’s comment constituted a threat to national security, adding that his action undermined the democratic process.

Lukman: Atiku, Obi should drop ambitions

Lukman advised Atiku, Obi, Senator Kwankwaso and El-Rufai to drop their presidential ambitions and provide leadership for the proposed opposition political party.

Lukman, former APC National Vice Chairman (Northcentral), said in a statement: “Based on laypersons legal knowledge, many of these politicians would be adjudged to being accessories, whether before or after, to our current political travesty.

“Some of them, on account of their influential roles in past administrations and the failures of those administrations should be humble enough to take a backseat to build a strong coalition to strengthen Nigerian politics.

“Instead, it is more like a case of unrepentant show of shame.”

Lukman lamented that the mindset of most opposition leaders is more inclined towards blocking political competition in the country.

He stressed: “The truth is that any political leader who is prioritising the debate about power shift over and above building a strong political party, which can set the rules and enforce it, may only be hiding behind such arguments to impose himself/herself and perhaps invariably continue the political practice of emperors and dictators.”

Atiku kicks

YESTERDAY’S reaction to opposition leaders’ criticisms of the Federal Government by the Presidency is an attack on democracy, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s Media Adviser Paul Ibe, has said.

The one-time vice president, former governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and Nasir El-Rufai have been under attack for condemning the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

In a statement, Ibe claimed that Dare’s statement showed “the Tinubu administration plans to take the next election in the country as ‘a combat and a fight”.

He said the Tinubu government should unite and heal the nation and desist from making careless remarks about other countries.

The statement reads: “It therefore, becomes pertinent to tell the Tinubu administration that last week’s gathering of political leaders across the country is aimed at fostering the ethos of democracy in Nigeria, making sure that elections in Nigeria are credible, and that democracy is the vehicle for progress and social justice in the country.

“We find it curious that the Tinubu government would react to these noble ideals as ‘Machiavellian inclinations

[TheNation]

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how Ijebu leaders lobbied the then Head of State, the late Gen. Murtala Mohammed, to designate Sagamu as the capital of Ogun State when it was created in February 1976.

Obasanjo, speaking 49 years after the creation of the state, disclosed that the Ijebu leaders argued against Abeokuta being chosen as the state capital, citing land constraints.

He made this revelation at the induction ceremony and Gala Night of the Egba Legacy Network, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.

The former President recounted his encounter with Gen. Mohammed, saying, “When we wanted to establish Ogun State, our brothers from Ijebu did their exercise very well. They said we don’t have land, and they campaigned against making Abeokuta the state capital. When we got to the discussion table, they proposed Sagamu instead. 

“This place we call Ogun State, before 1932, it was named Abeokuta Province, including Ijebu. When Ijebu Province was to be established, it was DO that was in Ijebu.

“They said we don’t have land, that was why it is called Abeokuta. My boss, Murtala Mohammed, had been briefed and agreed that Sagamu should be the state capital. He said, ‘We are going that way.’ But I told him, ‘Since we are going to have Kano State, then Rago should be the capital of Kano.’”

Obasanjo said this response angered Murtala Mohammed, who lashed out at him.

“He attacked me, saying, ‘How dare you?’ And I said, ‘How dare you too?’ That was how we ended the discussion.”

Obasanjo urged the Egba Legacy Network to document Abeokuta’s rich history and ensure that key figures in the development of Egbaland are recognised in their heritage tourism project.

He emphasised that Abeokuta’s proximity to Lagos should be leveraged to turn the ancient city into a major tourist attraction.

Earlier,  the Osi Apagunpote of Egbaland and Chairman of the Egba Legacy Network, Chief Lai Labode Jnr, charged new inductees to work towards the beautification and development of Abeokuta.

Labode explained that the group aimed to preserve the culture, traditions, and history of Egbaland while celebrating past and present heroes.

Among the projects planned is the Egba History and Heritage Area, which will feature statues of iconic Egba personalities, including Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, Prof. Saburi Biobaku, Madam Efunroye Tinubu, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Chief Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chief MKO Abiola, Ayinla Omowura, and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

Labode highlighted Ibara GRA, Oke-Mosan-Kobape Expressway, and Alake Palace as areas that will witness the first phase of the transformation.

He explained that the Egba Legacy Network, founded 18 months ago, consists of professionals committed to uniting Egba sons and daughters across the world to drive socioeconomic development.

[Punch]

Kaduna State Governor  Uba Sani who announced on January 27, 2025 that he is negotiating with killer bandits, is dead wrong.   The over  six months he said he has  been negotiating  with these vipers who  kill, maim, kidnap and collect ransom from innocent people, is a waste of  time.

The governor’s  claims that he engaged in   peace talks with the bandits  after consultations with  critical stakeholders including the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, does not sanctify  the process. In self-justification,  Governor  Sani declared: “I’d rather negotiate with bandits than to bear the weight of a single life lost in Kaduna. If not, I will be held accountable on the day of resurrection, having promised and sworn an oath.” This sounds fine. But it is only a sound. Contemporary history teaches us that negotiating with bandits and terrorists including granting them amnesty, has merely led to more deaths and a sense of empowerment by the criminals.

Governor Sani was right in 2021 when as Senator representing Kaduna Central, he vowed never to negotiate with the bandits. Drawing on his experience as part of the  Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai government that had previously negotiated with the bandits, Sani told Nigerians on Arise Television: “When you  give them (bandits)  money, these guys  are not reasonable. They are not responsible. They will use  the money  to buy more arms and ammunition to continue to attack  more people.”

In that interview he  declared: “…We don’t talk to the bandits. Or you want the Kaduna State government   to talk to the bandits? We will not do that.” He gave a cogent reason why  there should be no negotiation  with the bandits: “ They (bandits) will never retire. The most important   thing is that  we need to confront them. We are a country. We are a government. When you are elected, you must always take difficult decisions.”  That was Governor Sani three years ago. So what has changed? Is it that the bandits have repented their ways and are now candidates for heaven? Or better still, why has Uba Sani changed?

Also, he needs to disclose  the terms of agreement he has reached with the bandits. What are they getting in return from the government? What happens to their guns; will they be taken to other states, handed over to the government or simply tossed into River Kaduna? What happens to the bandits? Are they to be given land to resettle? If so, what happens to the hordes of bandits that are not Nigerians? Will they and their families be given citizenship?

I have raised these questions so that tomorrow, after having expended state resources on this fruitless journey, Sani would not like other governors who had taken this path, come with tales of woe. I think it is a bad idea  to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result.  Sani had worked with El-Rufai when he was the Federal Capital Territory Minister and, moved with him to Kaduna State in 2015  when the latter was elected governor. The following year, the El-Rufai government  took state resources to pay off the bandits.  It reached out to these killers as far as the Republics of  Niger, Cameroon, Chad, Mali and Senegal.

El-Rufai told the media why his government took money out of the country to pay the killers: “Fulanis are in 14 African countries and they traverse this country   with the cattle. So many of these people were killed, cattle lost and they organised themselves and came back to revenge.”

On some of the steps his government took, El-Rufai said: “We got a group of people that were going round trying to trace some of these people in Cameroon, Niger Republic and so on to tell them that there is a new governor who is Fulani like them and has no problem paying compensations for lives lost and he is begging them to stop killing.” As Sani explained in his interview, these bandits simply used the money they were paid to buy more arms and ammunition. The result is that Kaduna State became a killing field.

Similarly, Governor Bello Masari of neigbouring Katsina State engaged in negotiations with the bandits for three years from 2016. In September 2019, he announced that:  “The negotiation is yielding results. Now I can say over 80 per cent of people under captivity in Katsina State have been released.” Masari announced amnesty and dissolved the vigilante and volunteer groups that were fighting the bandits. But nine months later after the bandits had secured all they could from the state government, the governor cried that  they had reneged.  In saying that the bandits are worse than animals, Governor Masari lamented: “How can a human being behave the way an animal cannot behave?”

When Muhammadu Buhari was President and Commander-in-Chief,  he told Nigerians that many of these bandits are trained mercenaries from Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad and  Central African Republic who fled Libya after Mouammar Ghadafi was defeated. So, how does   Sani hope to rehabilitate them? I am sure the governor is aware that banditry in Kaduna State is not mere criminality; that there is an ethno-religious bent. This is why the bandits have strong supporters amongst the affluent like Sheikh Ahmad Gumi who claims that the bandits are: “ a population  that is pushed  into criminality” and that; “They are a peaceful people.”  In fact, Gumi says the bandits are liberation fighters!

Also, the current Minister of State for Defence, Bello  Muhammad Matawale as  Zamfara State Governor in 2021 told then President Buhari that: “Not all of them (bandits) are criminals…some of them, sometimes were cheated by so-called vigilante groups…when the vigilante groups attacks them, they go for reprisals.” I think in order not to get  entangled in such conspiracy theories and the type of wasted journey  Governors like El-Rufai and Masari embarked upon,  Governor Uba Sani should simply uphold  his oath of office to ensure the welfare and security of the people. This includes ensuring that  criminals, irrespective of ethnicity, gender, religion or citizenship, are brought to justice.

As we all know, the armed forces and the security services alone cannot overcome the bandits. In fact, the greatest armour against banditry is the masses on whom it is visited.  To ensure this, all our communities should in the model of the Civilian JTF, be trained and armed to fight   bandits and terrorists. In the short term, our military should be deployed to retake all territories under the control of bandits and terrorists and, return our peoples currently in the Internally Displaced Peoples’ IDP camps back to their homes. To politicise such a basic necessity, is to endanger the whole country. 

The stock market sentiment remained mixed last week as more corporate earnings reports hit the market with impressive numbers, spiking buying sentiments, even as some results were below expectation resulting in some profit taking.

However, investors’ attraction to the shares of Nestle, Stanbic IBTC and Nigerian Breweries, NB, boosted market activities last week, as they earned over N1 trillion through the week. Specifically, the Nigerian Exchange Limited, NGX, market capitalisation, which represents the total value of listed equities, rose to N64.71 trillion on Friday, up from N63.65 trillion previous week.  

Similarly, the NGX All Share Index, ASI another stock market performance indicator grew by 0.9% Week on Week, W/W to close last Friday at 104,496.12 bases points from 103,598.30 points the previous week.

Market analysts noted that investors reacted based on some positive corporate earnings reports for the fourth quarter, Q4’24      as well as divided declaration, while attributing the growth in ASI to gains recorded by NB , which went up by 15.5%, Nestle rose by 11.4% followed Stanbic IBTC 8.2% among others.

Meanwhile, the Year-to-Date, YtD return settled at 1.6%. However, trading activity was mixed as the total trading volume advanced by 6.3% W/W, while trading value declined by 8.0% W/.

Sectoral performance was mixed as the Consumer Goods Index went up by 4.0,    Banking Index 2.5% and Oil & Gas Index 1.0%), while the Insurance Index dropped by    -2.9% and Industrial Goods Index -0.5%.

Commenting on market outlook, analysts at Cordros Research stated: “Looking ahead, market performance is expected to be influenced by the ongoing earnings season, with sentiment likely remaining positive for companies delivering strong earnings and attractive dividends”.

Commenting as well, analysts at InvestData Consulting stated: “We expect mixed sentiments to continue as players digest corporate numbers and    more earnings reports hits the market to reveal value and give insight of dividend expectation,    while rebalancing their portfolios midst high inflation and earnings expectations. Also, sector rotation and portfolio rebalancing continued in the market with investors taking advantage of price correction to buy into value.

This is amid the volatility and pullbacks that add more strength to upside potential. Consequently, investors should take advantage of price correction. Also looking at the trends and events across the globe and domestically”.

[Vanguard]