At the time, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said that Nigeria couldn't do anything that would undermine local manufacturers and entrepreneurs.[15] The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, which represents 3000 Nigerian manufacturers, praised the decision to back out of the agreement.[15] The Nigerian foreign minister tweeted that more domestic consultation that was needed before Nigeria could signed the agreement.[16] Former president Olusegun Obasanjo said Nigeria's delay was regrettable.[17] The Nigeria Labour Congress called the agreement a "renewed, extremely dangerous and radioactive neo-liberal policy initiative", suggesting increased economic pressure would pressure workers into migration under difficult and unsafe conditions.[18]