The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, has announced that bilateral trade between the two countries has surged to approximately 13 billion dollars since last year.
Mills made this known at a dinner organised by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria to mark the country’s 249th Independence Anniversary on Wednesday night in Abuja.
He noted that the strengthening trade relations between the two nations had not only created economic opportunities for Nigerians but also generated jobs for both Americans and Nigerians.
“I am very proud that last year our trade with Nigeria soared to nearly $13 billion. That has fostered economic opportunities for Nigerians and created jobs for Americans and Nigerians alike. By stimulating trade, we are building a future where both nations will thrive as commercial partners,” he said.
The U.S. envoy stated that his country’s partnership with Nigeria would continue to evolve and was currently anchored on a commitment to shared prosperity, which involves expanding commerce and trade and creating more opportunities for workers in both countries.
Mills added that the dinner also served to celebrate the shared values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, as well as to bid farewell to the departing staff of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
He praised the departing USAID staff for their tireless efforts in transforming lives through critical health and education programmes, empowering Nigerians with hope and opportunities to improve their communities.
“As USAID’s work concludes at the mission, let me assure all of you, especially our Nigerian friends, that the life-saving programmes we have built together will continue, sustained through our partnership with Nigeria,” he said.
In an interview afterwards, the ambassador emphasised that the primary focus of U.S. diplomacy with Nigeria had shifted to developing stronger commercial and trade relationships.
He highlighted that, in line with this commitment, the U.S. recently launched the Commerce and Investment Partnership (CIP) with Nigeria’s Ministry of Trade, which he described as a significant milestone.
“We call it CIP, and it brings together Nigerian and U.S. companies in the same room with very senior U.S. and Nigerian officials. They will tell us what both governments need to do to make it easier for American companies to do business in Nigeria and for Nigerian companies in the U.S.
“That’s a big initiative, and I believe it will really help develop business and trade over the next year or two,” Mills said.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, noted that Nigeria and the U.S. had navigated various challenges in their respective nation-building journeys, maintaining strong bilateral relations.
Tuggar, represented by Dr Dunoma Ahmed, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, highlighted the impressive diversity within both countries, describing them as global examples of innovation, resilience, inclusion, and influence.
He remarked that while the U.S. stands as one of the world’s largest democracies, Nigeria holds that position on the African continent.
The minister added that these realities shape the foreign policy direction of President Bola Tinubu, which places a strong emphasis on democracy, given Nigeria’s strategic position in African and global affairs.
“We have each navigated complex terrains to build remarkable societies that seek to give voice and opportunity to all citizens. Today, as we celebrate the independence of the United States, we also celebrate the shared resilience of our two nations.
“In our unwavering commitment to overcoming challenges together, Nigeria’s strategic role, both in Africa and globally, continues to serve as the cornerstone of our bilateral relationship with the United States,” he said.
The event was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, Humanitarian Affairs Minister Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, members of the diplomatic corps, among others.
