Why US 12.5% tariffs on imports from Nigeria are less significant – Economist 

Economist and financial analyst, Dr. Muda Yusuf has reacted to the 12.5 percent tariff imposed by the United States, under President Donald Trump, on imports from Nigeria.

In a statement issued at the weekend, Yusuf detailed the likely economic impact of the tariffs on Nigeria.

Recall that three days ago, the Office of the United States Trade Representative, USTR imposed a 12.5 percent import tariff on Nigeria and several other countries over their alleged failure to implement its forced labour rules.

Reacting, Yusuf, a former Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, outlined two reasons why the impact of the US tariffs is unlikely to be significant for the Nigerian economy.

He explained that Nigeria’s exports to the United States are heavily concentrated in crude oil, liquefied natural gas, and other petroleum products, which account for more than 80 percent of the country’s merchandise exports to the US.

Yusuf added that another reason the impact of the US tariffs may not be significant is that the United States is not Nigeria’s largest export market.

“From Nigeria’s perspective, however, the economic impact of the tariffs is unlikely to be significant.

“The first reason is that Nigeria’s exports to the United States are heavily concentrated in crude oil, liquefied natural gas and other petroleum products, which account for more than 80 percent of Nigeria’s merchandise exports to the U.S. These products have been exempted from the tariff measures, leaving the bulk of Nigeria’s exports unaffected.

“The United States is not Nigeria’s largest export market. According to Nigeria’s first-quarter 2026 merchandise trade statistics, total exports stood at approximately N21.6 trillion, of which exports to the United States accounted for only 5.56 percent. By comparison, India accounted for 13.09 percent, France 9.29 percent, the Netherlands 9.22 percent, and Spain 7.68 percent. The United States ranked only the fifth-largest destination for Nigerian exports during the quarter.

“These trade patterns significantly moderate Nigeria’s exposure to the new tariff regime. While some non-oil exporters, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing, may experience reduced competitiveness in the U.S. market, the overall impact on Nigeria’s export earnings, foreign exchange receipts and macroeconomic performance is expected to be modest,” he stated.