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“Nigeria Among 60 Nations Under US Investigation; Sanctions Loom”.
The United States (US) government has launched a trade investigation into Nigeria and 59 other countries over allegations that they have failed to prevent the importation of goods produced using forced labour.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The probe, announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), was initiated under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The review will examine whether the trade practices of the listed countries are “unreasonable or discriminatory” and whether they place a burden on American commerce.
The notice, signed by USTR General Counsel Jennifer Thornton, states that the investigation commenced on March 12, 2026, and will assess whether Nigeria and other economies have failed to implement or enforce bans on imports produced with forced labour.
“The Trade Representative is initiating investigations regarding acts, policies, and practices of the countries listed in Annex A of this notice related to the failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour,” the notice said.
Nigeria is among 60 economies under review, alongside countries such as China, India, Brazil, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union.
The USTR noted that forced labour allows companies to produce goods at artificially low costs, creating unfair advantages in global markets, distorting competition, and undermining businesses that adhere to fair labour standards.
“For nearly 100 years, US law has prohibited the importation of goods mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part with forced labour,” the notice stated, noting that this policy reflects humanitarian, foreign policy, and national security concerns.
Global statistics cited by the USTR highlight the widespread nature of forced labour. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that about 28 million people were trapped in forced labour worldwide as of 2021, representing roughly 3.5 per 1,000 people globally. Between 2016 and 2021, the number of people subjected to forced labour increased by 2.7 million, primarily due to exploitation in the private sector.
The ILO also estimated that forced labour generated $63.9 billion in annual profits in the global private economy as of 2024.
The USTR highlighted that forced labour affects a wide range of products, including agricultural goods, textiles, minerals, fish products, and palm oil derivatives used in food and biofuel production. Even when denied entry into the US, such products may still reach other global markets, forcing US exports to compete against goods made under forced labour conditions.
As part of the investigation, the USTR will consult with the governments of affected economies and collect evidence from businesses, labour organizations, and other stakeholders. Public hearings are scheduled to begin on April 28, 2026, at the US International Trade Commission in Washington and may continue until May 1. Written comments must be submitted via the USTR’s electronic portal by April 15, 2026.
If the investigation confirms unfair trade practices, the US may impose additional duties or restrict imports from the affected countries.
Nigeria’s Trade Performance
Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that Nigeria’s merchandise trade surplus fell sharply in the fourth quarter of 2025. According to the NBS report “Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics”, the country recorded a trade surplus of ₦1.71tn, down from ₦3.42tn in the same period of 2024, largely due to declining crude oil exports.
Total trade during the quarter was ₦36.21tn, slightly below the ₦36.60tn recorded a year earlier. Exports dropped to ₦18.96tn, a 5.25% decline year-on-year and a 16.88% fall compared with the previous quarter. Crude oil remained Nigeria’s leading export, contributing ₦9.70tn or 51.17% of total exports.
While exports declined, imports increased to ₦17.25tn, up 3.98% from ₦16.59tn in the same period of 2024. Machinery and transport equipment was the largest import category at ₦5.13tn (29.75%), followed by mineral fuels (₦4.52tn) and chemicals (₦2.70tn).
China remained Nigeria’s largest import partner at ₦5.39tn (31.22%), followed by the United States, Netherlands, India, and Brazil.
An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been arrested for allegedly firing gunshots into the air during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The officer, identified as Onoja Samuel, reportedly arrived at the market armed with a pistol following allegations that some traders had assaulted his wife.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed the incident while addressing journalists at the command on Wednesday, Naija News reports.
Sanusi said the police received a distress call from Kubwa Market, located in the Bwari Area Council, reporting that a man was shooting into the air.
Following the report, officers attached to the Kubwa Police Division were deployed to the scene, where they arrested the suspect.
According to the police commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) in the NSCDC.
He explained that the officer allegedly fired several shots during an argument with the traders.
“During the ensuing argument with the traders, Onoja Samuel, who is a DSC with the NSCDC, fired several shots into the air,” Sanusi said.
The police recovered a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition from the suspect.
Sanusi added that Samuel remained in police custody and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The commissioner also urged personnel of other security agencies operating in the FCT to exercise restraint and notify the police divisions responsible for their areas before conducting authorised operations.
He stressed that effective coordination among security agencies was essential to preventing confrontations and maintaining peace across the territory.
Nigerian gospel singer Laolu Gbenjo has cautioned the public against spreading unverified information about the circumstances surrounding the death of his colleague, Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Gbenjo’s warning comes amid growing controversy surrounding the late singer’s death and burial arrangements, with reports of disagreements among members of his family.
The gospel singer spoke on Tuesday during a night of tributes held in honour of Toluwanisings in Ibadan, Oyo State. He warned against allowing the situation to degenerate into a controversy similar to the one that followed the death of Nigerian singer Mohbad.
Describing the deceased as a devoted Christian and a genuine servant of God, Gbenjo said Toluwanisings was passionate about his faith and had a good relationship with people.
He urged the public to stop fuelling unnecessary controversy over the late singer’s death, particularly through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
“You can never see Toluwani in the midst of jobless people. He had a good heart. He was a friend to everybody. He served the Lord with all his heart. Don’t turn Toluwani into Mohbad. That madness on TikTok and Instagram must stop. If you are jobless, go and look for a job,” Gbenjo said.
Meanwhile, comedians Ayobami Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, and Olamide Oladimeji, also known as Dele Omo Woli, have threatened legal action against individuals allegedly linking them to Toluwanisings’ death.
Woli Agba disclosed this in a public notice shared on his Instagram page on Sunday.
In the notice issued by their solicitors, Gemgold, the comedians warned members of the public against publishing or circulating allegations they described as false and defamatory against them.
The legal notice maintained that the allegations were baseless and intended to damage the reputations of the two entertainers.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, for judgment in the ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other respondents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after lawyers representing the parties adopted their respective court processes.
However, El-Rufai’s lawyer was absent when the case was initially called. The judge subsequently deemed the former governor’s filed processes adopted.
Counsel to the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), adopted the commission’s court processes and urged the judge to dismiss the suit in its entirety.
Similarly, the lawyer representing the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and Maimuna Lami-Shiru, Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), adopted their respective processes and asked the court to dismiss the case.
During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, arrived in court and apologised for his lateness.
When Akpan sought the court’s permission to adopt his client’s processes, Justice Abdulmalik informed him that the documents had already been deemed adopted.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2, 2026, when judgment is expected to be delivered.
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