ILA to Nigeria: Act Now to Shield Businesses from Global Trade Tensions

The International Law Association (ILA) of Nigeria has issued a critical call for African countries—particularly Nigeria—to fortify their business environments against the ripple effects of increasing global tensions. With geopolitical conflicts and unilateral trade measures threatening the stability of international commerce, the ILA emphasizes the urgent need for strategic responses that can shield local industries and investments from becoming collateral damage.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti during a press conference marking the beginning of the ILA’s 8th Annual Conference, Professor Damilola Olawuyi (SAN), President of ILA Nigeria, stressed the importance of international law and diplomacy in mitigating the impacts of global instability. The conference, hosted by Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) from April 9 to 10, 2025, is themed “Fostering Trade and Investment Integration for Sustainable Development: The Role of International Law.” The event seeks to explore how international legal frameworks can enhance the seamless movement of goods and services across borders, especially in times of global unpredictability.

Professor Olawuyi referenced a recent development as a sign of the volatile economic climate, noting that the former U.S. President Donald Trump had announced sweeping trade tariffs that have sparked concerns about the future of international trade. He warned that such unilateral actions are becoming more frequent, posing serious threats to trade integration efforts globally. According to him, in this new age of isolationist policies and rising protectionism, it is international law and diplomacy that must step in to cushion the effects on developing economies, particularly those in Africa.

He questioned whether Nigeria is adequately prepared to respond to these threats and expressed concern that the country lacks the kind of strategic representation it needs on the international stage. Highlighting a significant diplomatic vacuum, he criticized the prolonged absence of Nigerian ambassadors in key foreign missions following the mass recall of ambassadors nearly two years ago by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “As we speak, their replacements have yet to be announced,” he said, pointing to a critical delay in diplomatic appointments that could cost the country valuable trade and investment opportunities.

Professor Olawuyi welcomed the government’s recent move to begin the selection process for new ambassadors but stressed that the criteria for appointment must prioritize merit, expertise, and a strong understanding of international law and diplomacy. He emphasized that diplomatic representation should not be based on political patronage but on the ability to defend Nigeria’s economic interests in a complex and fast-changing global trade environment.

He further noted that Nigeria’s capacity to secure mutually beneficial trade deals and attract sustainable investments hinges largely on the caliber of individuals representing the country abroad. With the world undergoing seismic shifts in economic alliances and trade policies, Africa must not be left behind. The ILA is calling for proactive strategies, including legal preparedness and competent foreign representation, to ensure the continent is not merely reacting to crises but is actively shaping its own economic destiny.

In Professor Olawuyi’s words, the time for complacency is over. Nigeria must act with urgency, using the tools of law, diplomacy, and strategic foresight to safeguard its economic future in an increasingly fragmented global landscape.