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US Imports $1.34bn Nigerian Crude Oil in Five Months Despite Trump Tariffs

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The United States imported Nigerian crude oil worth $1.34 billion between January and May 2025, reinforcing Nigeria’s position as America’s top African crude supplier despite growing pressures on broader trade flows.

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Economic Analysis showed that the U.S. purchased 17.39 million barrels of Nigerian crude in the five-month period, with oil exports continuing to dominate bilateral trade even as volumes declined from the same period last year.

This reflects a 12.7% year-on-year drop in volume and an 11.8% decline in value, highlighting changing dynamics in the U.S. oil market, including increased domestic output and shifting sourcing preferences.

Nigeria accounts for 62% of U.S. crude imports from Africa 

Nevertheless, Nigerian crude still accounted for more than 62% of U.S. crude imports from Africa, far ahead of Libya, Angola, and Ghana, whose combined exports to the U.S. totaled $811 million during the same period.

In May 2025 alone, Nigeria exported 4.2 million barrels of crude to the U.S., valued at $311 million, down from $368 million in April. Customs and C.I.F. (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) data showed similar figures, with Nigeria’s oil exports to the U.S. recorded at $1.34 billion and $1.38 billion, respectively, reaffirming its role in transatlantic energy trade.

However, while crude shipments remained relatively stable, Nigeria’s overall export performance to the U.S. is weakening under the weight of America’s new trade policies.

Nigeria’s trade surplus wiped out as U.S. exports surge 

Total U.S. imports from Nigeria fell to $2.12 billion in the first five months of 2025, compared to $2.65 billion in the same period of 2024, a drop of $527 million, or nearly 20%.

This contraction follows an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump in April imposing a flat 10% import tariff on most countries. Nigeria was subject to an even higher 14% tariff, having previously run a significant trade surplus with the U.S.

Although crude oil, a strategic commodity, was exempted from the tariff regime, Nigeria’s non-oil exports have been severely impacted. Key sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing have seen reduced demand from American buyers. In May 2025, total U.S. imports from Nigeria stood at $400 million, down from $517 million in the same month of 2024.

While Nigerian exports have declined, American exports to Nigeria have surged, up 17.8% year-on-year. Between January and May 2025, the U.S. exported goods worth $2.42 billion to Nigeria, compared to $2.05 billion in the same period of 2024. This shift has reversed the trade balance between the nations.

Whereas Nigeria posted a $596 million surplus in the first five months of 2024, the U.S. recorded a $295 million surplus by May 2025. In May alone, America exported $515 million worth of goods to Nigeria, while imports from Nigeria stood at $400 million, giving the U.S. a monthly trade surplus of $115 million.

One of the major drivers of this turnaround is the U.S. automobile sector. Exports of motor vehicles and parts to Nigeria reached $426 million in the first five months of 2025, including $312 million in passenger vehicles, $29 million in trucks and buses, and $86 million in spare parts. These figures reflect both Nigeria’s growing appetite for automobiles and the increasing reliance on American suppliers for high-value manufactured goods.

Egypt and South Africa top African traders to the US 

Nigeria’s broader trade relationship with the U.S. appears to be losing steam. The country now accounts for just 10.8% of U.S. imports from Africa and 14.8% of exports to the continent, both figures down slightly from the previous year.

Egypt has overtaken Nigeria as America’s leading African export destination, with U.S. exports to Egypt jumping by 76% year-on-year to $3.43 billion. Meanwhile, South Africa remains dominant on the import side, with the U.S. importing $8.67 billion worth of South African goods between January and May 2025, more than four times the volume of Nigerian exports.

With Nigeria’s total trade volume with the U.S. now standing at $4.54 billion, the country trails Egypt and South Africa, raising questions about its long-term competitiveness in U.S.–Africa trade relations.

As global supply chains evolve and protectionist policies reshape international commerce, Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil and limited diversification may continue to weigh on its position in the American market.

In the corresponding period of 2024, the U.S. had imported 20.4 million barrels of Nigerian crude worth $1.52 billion.

Source: Nairametrics

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Tanzania’s Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi Resigns

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Tanzania’s Vice President, Dr Emmanuel John Nchimbi, has announced his decision to resign from office and retire entirely from public service and active politics, effective September 4, 2026.
In an official public notice dated August 25, 2026, issued from the Office of the Vice President in Dodoma, Dr Nchimbi revealed that he had formally tendered his resignation letter to President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Dr Nchimbi cited constitutional provisions under Article 50(2)(c) read together with Article 149(2) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania as the basis for stepping down to allow President Hassan to appoint a new Vice President.
Reflecting on his tenure, Dr Nchimbi referenced a commitment he made to the Head of State a year earlier, stating that he pledged to serve faithfully to the nation and step aside whenever a change was desired.
“On August 27, 2025, I promised Her Excellency President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan that I would assist her and our country to the best of my ability and with utter faithfulness,” Dr Nchimbi stated.
“I also assured her that whenever she sees the need for another Vice President, I will vacate the position. I am fully satisfied, without any doubt, that Her Excellency the President desires change, and thus I have decided to fulfil my promise.”
Dr Nchimbi expressed gratitude to President Hassan and the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), for their confidence in his leadership.
He also thanked Tanzanians for their support during his time in public office, reassuring the nation that he would remain a patriotic citizen.
Nchimbi’s journey as a seasoned Tanzanian statesman

Born on December 24, 1971, in the Mbeya Region, Dr Emmanuel John Nchimbi grew up in a family rooted in public service. His father, Mzee John Nchimbi, hailing from Songea District, served as an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and Regional Police Commander for Mtwara.

Beyond his law enforcement career, the elder Nchimbi was actively involved in politics, serving two terms as a National Executive Committee (NEC) member for Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) through the armed forces wing and later as a CCM regional secretary.

Dr Nchimbi began his primary education at Oysterbay Primary School in Dar es Salaam from 1980 to 1986. He pursued his O-Level studies at Uru Secondary School (Form I to III) from 1987 to 1989 before transferring to Sangu Secondary School, where he completed Form IV in 1990.

He then moved to Forest Hill Secondary School in Mbeya for his A-Level education between 1991 and 1993.

Advancing to higher education, Dr Nchimbi earned an Advanced Diploma in Administration from the Institute of Development Management (IDM) Mzumbe in Morogoro between 1994 and 1997.

Upon graduating, his political trajectory accelerated rapidly: he was elected as a member of CCM’s National Executive Committee (NEC), and by 1998, he was elected Chairman of the CCM Youth Wing (Umoja wa Vijana wa Chama cha Mapinduzi – UVCCM).

Alongside his rising political responsibilities, Dr Nchimbi built a professional background in public service and academia. He worked at the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) from 1998 to 2003.

During this period, he pursued further studies, obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) specialising in Banking and Finance from Mzumbe University between 2001 and 2003. He was later appointed District Commissioner for Bunda (2003–2005) and went on to complete a Doctorate (PhD) at Mzumbe University between 2008 and 2011.

Dr Nchimbi launched his parliamentary ambitions in his home region of Songea Town.
In the 2005 General Election, backed by a strong CCM grassroots network, he secured the Songea Town parliamentary seat with 67.6 per cent of the vote against his main rival, Edson Mbogoro of CHADEMA, who garnered 30.5 percent.
Following his election to Parliament, President Jakaya Kikwete appointed him Deputy Minister for Information, Culture, and Sports in January 2006.

He served in that capacity until October 2006, when he was reshuffled to serve as Deputy Minister for Labour, Employment, and Youth Development until February 2008. He subsequently served as Deputy Minister for Defence and National Service until November 2010.

Source: The Star

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Tinubu Orders Arrest, Suspension of Three Perm Secs As ICPC Uncovers Another Fake Govt Agency

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President Bola Tinubu on Friday ordered the immediate arrest and suspension of three federal Permanent Secretaries over their alleged involvement in the operation of another fake agency uncovered by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, who disclosed this to newsmen after briefing President Tinubu on the latest findings from the commission’s ongoing investigation into fictitious agencies and weaknesses in public sector processes named the affected Permanent Secretaries to include M S Danjuma, Engr Nadungu Gagare, and Richard Pheelangwah.

The Commision’s latest discovery is coming barely few weeks after exposing the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

According to Aliyu, the newly uncovered entity, operating as National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, had allegedly secured office accommodation within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) without authorisation from the President.

The discovery, he said, was made during the broader investigation into the PFIPC, which President Tinubu had directed the ICPC to undertake.

The fake agency, according to ICPC boss, was promoted by Prince George Buchi Nwabueze, who allegedly operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, Honourable George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Buchi Nwabueze.

Aliyu disclosed that the commission was engaging relevant officials in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to establish how the purported agency came to operate from government premises and to obtain other vital information required for the investigation.
“I have briefed Mr President comprehensively on these new developments. ICPC will continue with its investigation,” he said.

Following the fresh findings, Aliyu said President Tinubu had directed the immediate arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze, as well as the immediate suspension of the three named permanent secretaries.

The commission is expected to establish the roles played by the suspended officials and other individuals in the emergence and operation of the purported agency.

Aliyu said the latest discovery underscored the need for tighter controls and greater scrutiny of government institutions and internal administrative processes.

He commended President Tinubu for ordering a wider policy audit of federal agencies and government processes, describing the initiative as a proactive measure to strengthen the governance system.

His said: “President Bola Tinubu must be commended for the proactive step of directing the policy audit of MDAs and internal government processes towards strengthening government governance system.”

The latest development has widened the scope of the ICPC’s investigation into the proliferation of fictitious government entities and alleged exploitation of official structures by individuals seeking to create the impression of government authority.
The commission’s investigation into the PFIPC was initiated after the purported agency came under scrutiny, with the President subsequently directing the ICPC to unravel those behind its operations and determine whether public officials facilitated its activities.

With the discovery of another purported agency operating from government premises, the ICPC probe is now expected to examine broader institutional weaknesses that may have enabled unauthorised entities to gain access to federal government facilities and present themselves as legitimate government bodies.

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2027: Atiku Promises to Restore Fuel Subsidy If Elected President

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has promised to restore the petrol subsidy if he wins the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku made the pledge during an interview on Wednesday while questioning the use of funds he said were saved following the removal of the subsidy.

He said the policy could have been beneficial to Nigerians if the savings had been properly accounted for and invested in areas such as poverty reduction and education.

“I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go? It was intended to reduce poverty and help children attend school. Where is the money now? It seems they are just stealing it,” Atiku said in Hausa.

“If elected, I will bring back the oil subsidy, and whoever stole the money must refund it.”

The former vice president said he would also consider the removal of the subsidy if the funds generated from the policy were transparently used to address the country’s development challenges.

“The government successfully removed the subsidy, but we do not know where the money went. If they had used the money for development, to solve security problems, for education, and to create opportunities for the youth, it would be different. If elected, I can remove the subsidy and use the money to do all these properly.”

President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy during his inaugural address on May 29, 2023, before assuming office.

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