Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ As Donald Trump takes office as the 47th President of the United States, a new geopolitical dynamic is unfolding in Africa. According to Jimoh Ibrahim, a chieftain of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Trump has a critical opportunity to engage with Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, to reinforce American influence on the continent and counter China’s growing footprint.
Ibrahim, who serves as a senator representing Ondo South District in Nigeria’s National Assembly, highlighted China’s strategic economic penetration into Africa, particularly through BRICS+, the expanded economic bloc led by Beijing. He revealed that China has actively sought Nigeria’s participation in trading with the Chinese yuan and aligning with its economic agenda. However, Tinubu, maintaining a calculated stance, has reportedly conditioned Nigeria’s participation on increased trade benefits.
China’s aggressive economic diplomacy in Africa has seen it extend vast infrastructure loans for the construction of airports, seaports, and other critical projects. Ibrahim warns that these financial engagements are more than just economic gestures; they are part of a broader strategy for China to gain legitimacy and influence over the continent’s future. With BRICS+ now comprising 10 member states—including Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE the bloc accounts for 37% of global GDP, making it a formidable counterweight to Western economic power.
The senator emphasized that for the United States to maintain its global hegemony, Trump must actively engage with African leaders, particularly Nigeria, the continent’s largest economy. He pointed out that while Tinubu’s leadership aligns with America’s liberal democratic principles, Trump’s approach to foreign policy leans more toward realism, favoring strategic dominance over cooperative diplomacy. This ideological contrast, he suggested, could present challenges in negotiations but is unlikely to create direct conflict between the two nations.
Nigeria’s recent acceptance of an invitation to join BRICS+ as a partner country signals a shifting economic landscape. Traditionally aligned with Western powers, Nigeria now finds itself at the intersection of competing global influences. As Africa emerges as a critical battleground for economic and geopolitical dominance, Trump’s foreign policy choices will determine whether the United States can reclaim its fading influence or whether China’s strategic encroachment will redefine the continent’s alliances.
The upcoming months could significantly influence not only Nigeria’s economic future, but also the wider struggle for dominance among the world’s most powerful nations, given the heightened stakes.
