In recent days, a series of rapid developments have unfolded that could reshape the dynamics of international trade. Chief among them is the remarkable progress of Aliko Dangote’s refinery, which has already reduced Nigeria’s dependence on refined petroleum products from the United States. Even more significant is Dangote’s announcement that the refinery’s capacity will soon expand to 1.4 million barrels per day. If realized, this will mark a turning point, a stride toward true economic independence not only for Nigeria but for much of Africa.
Adding to this momentum, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently introduced a 15 percent tariff on imported petroleum products. This policy is designed to discourage importation by making foreign fuel less competitive, while encouraging domestic refining and self-sufficiency. For the United States and its European allies, these developments carry serious implications for global energy markets and economic influence.
Yet, amid these strategic shifts, one cannot ignore the political undercurrents from the West. the U.S. President Donald Trump has been vocal about his supposed concerns for Christians in Nigeria, but his record suggests otherwise. America continues to lead the world in gun violence, including within places of worship with over 379 reported shootings and nearly 500 deaths in churches alone. Despite this, the U.S. government has taken no decisive action to curb access to firearms.
Behind much of America’s foreign policy lies the powerful military-industrial complex, an alliance of defense corporations whose interests are worth trillions of dollars. These entities wield enormous influence over who becomes president, and they consistently support leaders who are pro-war and resistant to peace. Unfortunately, many Nigerians still regard the pronouncements of Western leaders as unquestionable truths, forgetting that every nation ultimately acts out of self-interest.
Another battle quietly intensifying across the continent is for control of Africa’s lithium reserves, a mineral critical to global energy transition and electric vehicle production. Global powers including the U.S., China, Russia, and various European nations are competing fiercely for access. The African Union (AU), alongside the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), has wisely adopted a policy discouraging the export of raw lithium. Instead, nations seeking this vital resource are urged to establish processing and industrial bases within Africa. However, this competition has also fueled insecurity in several parts of the continent.
On the economic front, the Nigerian naira has shown notable stability in the foreign exchange market, even gaining ground against the U.S. dollar. While it may take time before these gains translate into improved household income, the trajectory is encouraging a development that may not sit well with those who benefit from a weak African economy.
A nation’s strength is not measured by the absence of struggle, but by its refusal to surrender its soul to foreign influence. Though one may not agree with every path their country takes, loyalty demands restraint from aiding those who seek its downfall. In moments of despair, let wisdom remind us that no search for salvation is worth the price of self-destruction; for to invite an outsider to plunder one’s homeland is to trade dignity for delusion.
It is worth noting that Donald Trump has repeatedly displayed a willingness to wage war against resource-rich nations from Iran and Venezuela to, now, Nigeria. He even accused South Africa of “white genocide” to discourage its growing influence within the BRICS alliance. With Western economies facing sluggish growth, it is becoming clear that their era of global dominance is drawing to a close.
The tides are turning, and this century will mark Africa’s moment.
This article is written by Dr. Durodolu from South Africa.
