US Tariff Hits Nigerian Imports, Except for Crude Oil

Nigeria has been partially shielded from the impact of a 12.5% tariff imposed by the US on its imports, as crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) have been exempted from the measure.

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) estimates that more than 80% of Nigeria's exports to the US are petroleum-related products, which will remain outside the scope of the new tariff regime.

According to CPPE, the US accounts for only a modest share of Nigeria's total exports, representing just 5.56% of the country's export earnings in the first quarter of 2026, with N21.6 trillion worth of goods exported overall.

However, CPPE warned that non-oil exporters, particularly those in agriculture and manufacturing, could face reduced competitiveness in the US market due to the tariff, although the impact on Nigeria's export performance is expected to remain modest.