U.S. President Donald Trump is facing growing frustration after several key allies declined his request to deploy naval forces to escort commercial vessels through the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions with Iran.

The appeal came as the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran continues to disrupt global shipping routes and energy supplies. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, carries about 20 percent of the world’s oil and natural gas shipments, making it one of the most critical energy corridors globally.

Trump had urged several nations; including European and Asian partners, to send warships to help secure the shipping route and protect oil tankers from potential attacks. However, countries such as Germany, Italy, and Spain have refused to commit naval forces, emphasizing diplomacy and caution about becoming directly involved in the conflict.

European leaders argued that any military intervention should be based on broad international agreement and warned that deploying warships without a clear mandate could further escalate tensions in the region. Some officials also questioned the effectiveness of a limited European naval presence in the heavily contested waterway.

The dispute comes as Israel continues strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, while Iran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks targeting regional assets, including energy facilities in the United Arab Emirates. The escalating hostilities have already disrupted shipping and briefly affected operations at Dubai’s airport and oil ports in the Gulf region.

Despite the reluctance of allies to join the naval escort mission, Trump has insisted that the United States will ensure the “free flow of energy” through the strait if necessary. Washington has also explored providing insurance guarantees and potential naval protection for commercial vessels traveling through the region.

Analysts warn that prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could push global oil prices higher and worsen inflation pressures worldwide, as energy markets remain sensitive to developments in the Middle East.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has entered into a strategic partnership with REX Insurance Limited to introduce weather index insurance aimed at protecting Nigerian farmers from losses caused by extreme weather events.

The agreement, formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is designed to provide farmers with insurance coverage triggered by measurable weather conditions such as droughts and floods.

The initiative seeks to reduce the vulnerability of farmers to climate related risks while promoting sustainable agricultural practices across the country.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Charles Anosike, highlighted the agency’s longstanding role in weather monitoring, noting that NiMet has maintained more than a century of weather observation in Nigeria.

According to him, the agricultural sector remains one of the most exposed to the impacts of climate change, which continues to affect crop production, livestock, soil health, water availability and rural livelihoods.

Anosike explained that the proposed weather index agricultural insurance scheme will rely on scientifically measured weather data to determine when farmers receive payouts. Under the system, insurance compensation will be automatically triggered when weather indicators such as rainfall levels exceed or fall below predetermined thresholds.

He added that the initiative will also integrate crop calendar forecasting, a climate based tool that provides farmers with guidance on the most suitable periods for planting and harvesting. The tool is expected to enable farmers to make informed decisions while improving productivity and crop yields.

Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of REX Insurance, Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, outlined the company’s evolution and commitment to innovation in the insurance sector.

She explained that the company, formerly known as Royal Exchange Insurance, was established in 1918 as Nigeria’s first insurance firm and has recently undergone a transformation aimed at leveraging technology to expand its offerings, particularly in the agricultural sector.

Nwachukwu noted that the partnership with NiMet represents a major step towards providing smallholder farmers with practical risk protection tools.

She expressed optimism that index based insurance tailored for smallholder farmers will soon become widely available in Nigeria, enabling farmers to plan better and mitigate climate related uncertainties.

In his concluding remarks, Anosike emphasised that insurance remains a critical tool for managing the growing risks associated with climate change. He noted that effective risk management in agriculture depends largely on access to reliable climate information.

The NiMet chief reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to the collaboration with REX Insurance, stressing that the partnership will help strengthen the resilience of Nigerian farmers in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Tuesday, March 17, for a historic State Visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Nigerian leader will be accompanied by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.

The British monarch will host President Tinubu and his wife at Windsor Castle from March 18 to March 19.

The visit marks the first state visit by a Nigerian leader to the United Kingdom in 37 years and also makes Tinubu the first Nigerian president to be hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle.

The visit is expected to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom and explore new opportunities for collaboration in areas including immigration, trade, investment and cultural exchange.

During their stay at Windsor Castle, King Charles and Queen Camilla will host the President and the First Lady to a special exhibition of items from the Royal Collection related to Nigeria. The King and President Tinubu will also hold private discussions and meet with organisations engaged in interfaith dialogue.

The Royal Family will further host a State Banquet in honour of the Nigerian delegation.

President Tinubu is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street. The meeting is expected to lead to expanded engagement between officials of both countries and the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding covering trade, investment, defence and cultural cooperation.

The President will also witness the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Finance. The deal will support the refurbishment of two major maritime facilities, the Lagos Port Complex and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.

As part of the visit, President Tinubu will attend the Nigerian Modernism exhibition showcasing modern Nigerian arts and culture and will also meet with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as members of the diaspora community.

Members of the President’s delegation include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun; and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Jumoke Oduwole.

Others are Minister of Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence Christopher Musa; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; and Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.

President Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria at the end of the state visit.