The All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political parties in Nigeria have raised concerns about the potential impact of United States President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders on African nations, including Nigeria.
Trump, following his inauguration, wasted no time enacting sweeping policies that could reshape international relations and economic dynamics. Among the notable actions, he announced plans to impose tariffs on key trading partners, including Canada, Mexico, and China, as early as February 1. Additionally, he pulled the United States out of the Paris Climate Accords and the World Health Organization.
The U.S. President also declared an official policy recognizing only two genders—male and female—generating global discourse on gender identity. His stance on immigration and his “America First” approach have sparked mixed reactions, with many Nigerian political parties assessing the implications for the country.
Global Oil Prices and Nigeria’s Economy
Ladipo Johnson, the National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), predicted that Trump’s policies might lead to a significant drop in global oil prices due to his pro-drilling stance.
“For instance, Trump believes in drilling. He wants to drill and increase production. So, it is expected that oil prices will crash. That, of course, will impact the world, including Nigeria,” Johnson stated.
He also criticized Trump’s worldview, describing it as isolationist. “The man has an isolationist view of the world. Trump believes that others are not equal and that Americans are superior,” Johnson said.
The NNPP spokesman urged Nigerian leaders to see this as a wake-up call. “Whenever any of the Western powers believe that they are better than us, it is a wake-up call to our leaders. We have the natural resources, but we lack the leadership and managerial resources.
“The lesson here is that we must realize that we need to elect leaders who will hasten the growth and development of Nigeria. We cannot continue to go cap in hand to the Western world or even to the Chinese or Russians like they have begun to do now. We can’t continue to beg. We have all it takes to be rich and prosperous,” Johnson added.
Lessons on Legal Immigration
Bala Ibrahim, the National Publicity Director of the APC, urged Nigerians to ensure they meet all legal requirements when traveling to the United States to avoid becoming victims of Trump’s strict immigration policies.
“The lesson for Nigeria is for every citizen traveling to America to ensure that he has the prerequisite requirements so that he will not get there and find himself becoming a nuisance or a victim of the policy,” Ibrahim said.
He further advised Nigerians to abide by U.S. laws and avoid illegal entry. “Nobody should seek to be in America illegally or illegitimately. As long as Nigerian immigrants into America are law-abiding and meet the requirements, America does not molest them,” he emphasized.
‘America First’ as a Case Study
Kehinde Edun, the National Legal Adviser of the Labour Party, highlighted Trump’s “America First” policy as an example of prioritizing national interests.
“The man is putting America first. Of course, you cannot fault him for doing that. You cannot just be going to their country and not be making efforts to make things work in yours. Some people are out there just roaming the streets and constituting a nuisance,” Edun remarked.
He also pointed out that Trump’s strict immigration measures are influencing other Western nations. “Now that he [Trump] is taking steps to deny illegal immigrants citizenship and birthright, other Western countries in the world are taking a cue from America.
“They are making it more difficult for people to come to their country. These include some Nigerian elites who are seeking escape routes for their children after spoiling this country,” Edun said.
Broader Implications for Nigeria
Trump’s policies, particularly on trade, immigration, and energy, have prompted Nigerian political stakeholders to reflect on the country’s dependency on foreign nations and its governance challenges.
The consensus among political figures is that Nigeria must strengthen its internal systems, focus on economic self-reliance, and adopt policies that prioritize the welfare and prosperity of its citizens. As Trump’s administration continues to reshape global dynamics, the onus falls on Nigerian leaders to chart a course that safeguards the country’s interests in an increasingly isolationist global landscape.
