Economy
Okonjo-Iweala Says Trump Tariffs Have Caused Greatest Trade Disruption In 80 Years
Okonjo-Iweala Says Trump Tariffs Have Caused Greatest Trade Disruption In 80 Years
Okonjo-Iweala says Trump tariffs have caused greatest trade disruption in 80 years. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), says the ripple effect of the Trump administration tariffs is “the greatest disruption in trade in 80 years”.
Okonjo-Iweala spoke recently during CNN’s Global Perspectives conference.
On April 3, the United States President Donald Trump announced sweeping global tariffs on all imports into America — leading to a bout of several global trade events.
Speaking on the numerous tariff impositions at the event, Okonjo-Iweala said “it is the greatest disruption in trade in 80 years”.
“You can see the battering by the fact that the most favoured nation (MFN) trade came down from 80 percent to 72 percent,” she said.
“But, there is also one thing that has come up which I know that all nations are taking account of: the system was built for interdependence, not overdependence.”
The former Nigerian minister said many nations had become too overdependent on the US for market demand and on China for critical supplies.
“So, this is also a wake-up call to try to diversify your sources of demand and supply,” she said.
The WTO director-general said global trade and the system built over 80 years has broadly delivered prosperity to all nations.
The economist said it has lifted “more than a billion people out of poverty” and made rich and poor countries better, noting that she agrees with certain criticisms of the trade organisation voiced by some Americans.
“Not everyone benefitted the way they should. We recognise that and I think some problems have crept into the global trading system that should have been dealt with,” Okonjo-Iweala said.
“That is why I say I agree with some of the criticisms that the Americans make. But, by the way, they are not the only ones criticising the system.”

Okonjo-Iweala Says Trump Tariffs Have Caused Greatest Trade Disruption
Okonjo-Iweala said developing countries feel the system has not worked for them, “that they have not been fully integrated, and that they have not benefited as much”.
“Emerging markets want to industrialise. They also feel the system needs to work better,” she said.
“So, there’s lots of work to do and it is looking at those criticisms.”
She noted that such criticisms are “coming to the fore now because of the crisis we are in”, assuring that WTO members “are now focused on trying to resolve it”.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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