How Trump executive orders will negatively affect Nigeria

Donald Trump began his presidency with swift policy changes that could ripple across world, including Nigeria. On his first day in office, the 47th U.S. President signed executive orders reshaping immigration, trade, and foreign aid—moves central to his “Make America Great Again” agenda.

Trump has long criticized international agreements that, in his view, disadvantage American taxpayers and values. His early actions signal a realignment of U.S. priorities toward domestic gains and reduced global commitments.

Here are five decisions likely to affect Nigeria directly.

1. Suspending US foreign assistance

Donald Trump’s executive order halts U.S. foreign development aid for 90 days to review its efficiency and alignment with American interests.

The freeze affects all agencies managing development funds, pausing new obligations and disbursements to foreign governments, NGOs, and international organizations. In 2021, the U.S. was the world’s largest donor, with $48 billion in aid, one-third to sub-Saharan Africa, according to the OECD statistics of Official Development Assistance.

Nigeria received over $1.2 billion in 2022 for health, education, and economic development, according to David Greene, Charge d’ Affairs of the U.S diplomatic mission in Nigeria.

The Trump administration’s review could make aid more conditional, pressuring recipients to counter China or prioritize U.S. business interests, Mark Bohlund, a senior credit research analyst at emerging market research group REDD Intelligence told the Africa Report.

2. Bouncing WHO

The U.S. is the World Health Organization’s largest donor, providing $1.28 billion for the 2022–2023 period.

Trump’s executive order to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization cements his criticism of the UN agency’s leadership and operations. He previously attempted an exit in 2020, blaming the WHO for mishandling the Covid-19 pandemic and other health crises. President Joe Biden reversed that decision.

Trump condemned the organization’s funding structure, claiming the U.S. bears an unfair financial burden compared to China, which he said contributes nearly 90% less.

Experts warn that ending U.S. funding will weaken the WHO’s ability to tackle health emergencies and deepen global health inequalities. Vulnerable regions like Africa face heightened risks from reduced international health support. The WHO helps with the fight against diseases prevalent in Nigeria such as malaria and infectious diseases. It leads the fight against polio.

3. Immigration and deportations

The U.S. president’s executive order declaring illegal immigration a national emergency, and ordering deportations, though primarily aimed at South American migrants, may affect undocumented African and Nigerian immigrants.

The Migration Policy Institute estimates that 295,000 unauthorized African immigrants lived in the U.S. in 2021. Visa overstays are significant among Nigerians—18,475 between 2022 and 2023, accounting for 12.66% of expected departures, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Trump’s immigration policies have previously impacted Nigeria. In 2020, a U.S. travel ban restricted entry from several countries, including Nigeria.

Mass deportations could impact Nigeria’s diaspora remittance inflows, a vital source of foreign exchange. “If Trump decided to do what he did the last time… the remittances of Nigerians to Nigeria would drastically go down,” Aminu Gusau, professor in the African-American Studies department of the University of Kansas told Channel Television’s Inside Sources last November.

4. Energy emergency

Trump’s declaration of a national energy emergency marks a dramatic shift in U.S. energy policy with far-reaching global implications. By boosting domestic fossil fuel exploration and production, the U.S. could intensify competition in global energy markets, potentially lowering oil and gas prices.

For exporters like Nigeria, this poses a threat to market share but offers cheaper fuel for import-dependent economies. Trump’s earlier push for increased U.S. shale production in his first coming as president led to an oil glut that slashed prices, cutting into Nigeria’s oil revenue and amplifying economic vulnerabilities. A repeat scenario under his new policy could exacerbate fiscal pressures in oil-dependent African countries.

5. Paris Climate Change agreement withdrawal

Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement has reignited fears of a global climate rollback. Known for his skepticism about climate change, he previously dismissed it as a hoax meant to harm American manufacturing. His latest move ends U.S. financial commitments to the accord and signals a retreat from international climate efforts.

As the world’s second-largest carbon emitter, U.S. involvement is crucial for climate progress. Its exit jeopardizes gains made to combat climate change, particularly in regions like Africa, where droughts and climate shocks already threaten lives and livelihoods.

Scaling back U.S. climate support could slow renewable energy adoption in Africa. Nations like Nigeria, heavily reliant on external funding for green projects, might face tough choices between pursuing environmental goals or seeking new partnerships to fill the gap left by the U.S.

6. External Revenue Service

Trump’s plan to create an External Revenue Service under his America First Trade Policy could complicate global trade and tax systems, potentially affecting the trade dynamics of many countries, including Nigeria. By imposing tariffs and trade-related taxes on foreign countries, the U.S. move may challenge the competitiveness of Nigerian exports.

Taiwo Oyedele, chairman of Nigeria’s Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, said the decision underscores the need for Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms to mitigate such external pressures. “A stronger tax system positions us to manage challenges and seize emerging trade opportunities,” he noted on X.

Although Trump’s policies primarily target large manufacturing exporters, Nigerian sectors tied to the U.S. market are not immune. Stricter trade policies previously hampered Nigeria’s agricultural exports to the U.S. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which allows duty-free access for select African products, received limited backing under Trump, restricting growth potential for Nigerian exporters.

7. Ending birthright citizenship

Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship denies automatic citizenship to children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents, challenging interpretations of the 14th Amendment to the American constitution.

The move compounds existing challenges for Nigerians, who already face difficult U.S. visa policies. Under the rule, even if pregnant Nigerian women succeed in obtaining temporary American visas, having their babies in that country would not give the advantage of citizenship to the children.

The measures could discourage Nigerian families hoping to secure future advantages for their children through American citizenship.

*Portions of this article were sourced from Africa Report.