By Ebi Kesiena
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has emphasized the strategic importance of renewed US–Nigeria cooperation, calling for stronger trade and investment ties.
He made the call during a high-level roundtable convened by the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The session, which featured Vice President Kashim Shettima and top executives from leading American companies, centered on unlocking investment opportunities in Nigeria’s priority sectors, including energy, agriculture, technology, and finance.
Speaking at the forum, Tuggar urged Washington to recalibrate its Africa strategy by prioritizing partnerships with anchor states such as Nigeria.
“The United States should revert to working with anchor states in Africa, such as Nigeria. Our population, abundant resources, and continental scale make Nigeria a natural destination for U.S. business partnerships. Such collaboration will drive down costs, allow access to a vast talent pool, and help integrate millions of informal businesses into the formal economy,” he said.
The Minister further underscored that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria is committed to deepening economic diplomacy, creating an enabling business climate, and ensuring global partnerships translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
He pointed to Nigeria’s demographic advantage, sweeping reforms, and continental leadership role as factors positioning the country as Africa’s premier hub for international investment.