The Chief Commercial Officer of AAJ Express Logistics Limited, Ini Daniel, has decried the uncertainty that hangs over Nigerian exporters as the recent implementation of sweeping tariff regulations by former United States President Donald Trump has brought shipments to the United States to a grinding halt.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, Daniel mentioned that since April 2, 2025, when the new rules came into full effect, over 70 per cent of Nigerian goods shipped by air have either been blocked or indefinitely delayed at US ports of entry.
“The enforcement, which caught many international businesses off guard, has triggered a ripple of disruption across export-dependent industries in Nigeria. Cargo and courier companies, particularly those operating in Lagos, say they are struggling to get clearance into the U.S., with limited information on the reasons behind the delays or rejections,” Daniel said.
He described the situation as a crisis that has blindsided the industry, urging urgent intervention and transparency from U.S. authorities.
“We are operating in total darkness, shipments are being held back or outrightly refused with no clear documentation or justification.
Exporters have invested heavily in goods that now sit idle, racking up storage fees and threatening business survival,” he stated.
He decried that the airline industry, which handles a large volume of Nigeria’s time-sensitive exports, has also been thrown into disarray.
Meanwhile, Daniel said several carriers were offering steep discounts and, in some cases, free return flights for goods that cannot be cleared into the U.S., incurring major losses in the process.
Daniel said, “This is not just about Nigeria. Exporters from Europe, Asia, and other parts of Africa are facing similar barriers.
But the lack of communication is especially damaging here because our exporters rely heavily on U.S. demand. If this continues, we are looking at a potential collapse of certain export sectors.”
He also mentioned that trade experts are urging Nigerian exporters to put U.S.-bound shipments on hold until detailed guidance is released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
According to Daniel, calls are growing for the Nigerian government to initiate dialogue with U.S. trade authorities to mitigate the fallout.
“As the backlog mounts and losses deepen, exporters say time is running out. “We need answers, and we need them fast,” Daniel stressed.
“Our economy cannot afford prolonged uncertainty in one of our most critical export markets,” he added.
