
Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Nigerian High Commissioner to Botswana and former Nigerian Ambassador to Belgium Prof.
Alaba Ogunsanwo, and Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, have reacted to executive orders signed by United States President Donald Trump in an interview with The Nation.
Former Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Kayode Soremekun and former Nigerian Ambassador to France and Monaco, Akin Fayomi, who was also a former Undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Director of Studies, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos Prof. Efem Ubi, also spoke with The Nation about the issue.
Okonjo-Iweala calls for calm
At the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Okonjo-Iweala addressed the development during a panel discussion held yesterday, urging member-states to keep calm.
She advised WTO members to observe actual policy implementations before reacting, saying calmness is necessary during uncertain developments.
“I’m concerned, but you can see my attitude and approach is keep calm. Let’s see what policies are actually enacted and implemented before we get overexcited,” she said.
Osaghe: we are not Americans
The NIIA director-general said the executive orders are American laws and not Nigerian orders.
He warned that those living in the U.S. illegally should know the consequence of their actions.
Prof. Osaghe said: “Anybody who wants to do business with the U.S. must adapt with their laws. If anybody is coming to Nigeria, he or she must not flout our laws. He or she must face the consequence if done. The executive orders are not for Nigerians, other Africans, Indians and others. They are designed to streamline the way things are done in the U.S.”
They are American issues, says Ogunsanwo
Prof. Ogunsanwo described the executive orders as American issues.
According to the international relations expert, “Any American President that is elected can issue executive orders. Anybody in living in America can go to court to challenge such orders. If it’s overruled, that is it.
“If another president is elected, he may overrule Trump. That is America, it should not bother us as Nigerians.”
Ambassador Fayomi: it’s premature to assess Trump’s policies
Fayomi submitted that it was rather premature to assess Trump’s policies.
He said: “I don’t care for Mr. Trump and his policies, but it is a surety that many of them, including this one on banning birthright citizenship, will elicit lots of discussions and interrogations as well as numerous legal actions which seem to have started as we speak.
“If someone has a legitimate visa and is given entry into any country, including the United States, that person is not an ‘illegal immigrant’.
“That phrase is reserved for people that come into a country illegally, without documentations, or those that have overstayed their visas, or those that are working illegally even though their visas specifically state that they are not allowed to seek employment in the country.
“There’s the principle of “jus soli”, meaning “right of the soil” in the U.S. Constitution. Unless that aspect is amended, Mr. Trump is just wasting his time on this policy.
“It is too early in the day to assess Mr. Trump’s controversial policies.”
Soremekun: there may be jolt to American economy
Prof. Soremekun said the Trump’s policy of birthright citizenship was not really new.
“A while ago, it was put in place by Britain. But somehow the affected individuals had a way of circumventing the policy. Of course, Nigerians who hope to devolve American citizenship on their unborn children will not like this new policy.
“On the other hand, it could well spawn a better governance policy in Nigeria. For if there is no place to take refuge, this may ensure novel and positive postures here. As for what Americans are saying some of them will welcome it. However, some will be indifferent. But please note that a lot of the low- level and low paying jobs are being done by the immigrants, particularly the illegal ones. So, there may be a jolt to the American economy.
“I fully agree with the move to send back criminal aliens to their respective countries. Such a move will make the country safer for its citizens. But the question, however, remains: Who is a criminal? Such a person must have been tried on the platform of due process, prior to being dubbed a criminal.”
Prof. Ubi: birthright citizenship is U.S. internal policy
Prof Ubi yesterday declared that the birthright citizenship is U.S. internal policy, which none citizens or any other country can’t interfere with.
“On the contrary, the policy doesn’t have any negative impact on Nigeria or any country.
“Nigerians who might be perturbed about the birthright citizenship policy are those who are hoping to go and have their children born there. Remember, UK government also imposed same policy few years ago. Nigerians have adjusted to it.
“That notwithstanding, the Executive Order of the birthright citizenship is being challenged by 18 states in the U.S., which is the right thing to do.
“According to the Attorneys General of these states, the President has no authority to rewrite or nullify a constitutional amendment or duly enacted statute. But let’s wait and see what the future outcome will be.
“On the issue of criminal aliens, I do not see anything wrong with that if the person being sent back is not a legal citizen of the Unites States. But it will be wrong to send back a bona fide U.S. citizen to his country of origin.
“In fact, President Trump’s Executive Orders such as this undermines U.S. posture of the epitome of a liberal world order. It portrays what we term ‘international hypocrisy’.”