The United States of America has applauded its enduring relationship with Nigeria, which continues to evolve from traditional aid-based models to mutual economic cooperation.
At the United States’ 249th Independence Day celebration marked on the 30th of June in Lagos, Nigeria, the Acting Consul General, JoEllen Gorg, reflected on history, progress, and the shared values that bind two of the world’s largest democracies.
The Acting Consul General stressed on the U.S. government’s recently launched Commercial Diplomacy Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to her, the centerpiece of that effort is a 5-Year Commercial and Investment Partnership focused on breaking down trade barriers, boosting bilateral investment, and creating jobs in agriculture, digital infrastructure, energy, and more.
In May, the United States announced a new Commercial Diplomacy Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as at the recently concluded U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Angola, where several deals were signed that will further boost economic partnership between the continent and the United States.
Gorg said, “Under the Trump Administration, the United States is prioritizing commercial engagement over development assistance. We want to work with African nations not as aid recipients, but as commercial partners. Here in Nigeria, our commercial engagement is enshrined in the U.S.-Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership, a 5-year initiative to boost trade, remove commercial barriers, and attract investment. I’m proud to say that Nigeria is one of only five African countries that have been selected for this type of agreement.”
It would be recalled that the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria had last week joined the Minister for Industry, Trade, and Investment and nearly 50 U.S. and Nigerian private sector participants to formally launch the working groups of this partnership.
The Acting Consul General said that these working groups would focus on identifying and creating an action plan to dismantle non-tariff barriers to trade in the agriculture,digital economy, and infrastructure sectors.
“Through the Commercial and Investment Partnership, we aim to unlock investment and create well-paying jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. “
The Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his address, highlighted Nigeria’s growing role on the global stage, and Lagos’s central place in that narrative.
Drawing a powerful parallel between the histories of both nations, the Governor reflected on their shared democratic aspirations.
“This being its 249th anniversary. It is deeply inspiring to know that the USA is just one year away from commemorating a quarter of a millennium since the cherished start of their journey as an independent nation, even as we look forward to this major milestone and as we celebrate this year’s anniversary, we have the opportunity today to reflect on the journey of nationhood, both for the United States and Nigeria, and a chance to reflect on our shared ideas of democracy, on our freedom, on our striving for enduring peace and prosperity for our people, and even in the face of many odds.”
Sanwo-Olu reflected on the close and long-standing relationship between Nigeria and the United States across trade and commerce, in energy, education, culture, migration, as well as diplomacy, amongst other things.
He acknowledged the U.S. Consulate’s deep-rooted support for Lagos, a commercial, cultural and economic nerve center of Nigeria, noting that Nigeria has long benefited from the dynamic presence and support of the United States.
