Abuja: U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Richard Mills says his top priority is to enhance bilateral commercial and investment ties with Nigeria to foster economic growth and create beneficial opportunities for its citizens.
Mills made this known at the official unveiling of a meeting of working groups of the United States–Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership (CIP) on Tuesday in Abuja.
The working groups, which will focus on agriculture, digital economy, and infrastructure, comprise senior U.S. and Nigerian government representatives and private sector leaders.
The CIP, a Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2024, aims to deepen bilateral commercial cooperation and expand economic opportunities for people from both countries.
According to the ambassador, he has identified the CIP as a top priority of his tenure because it underscores the U.S. government’s commitment to enhancing bilateral economic relations with Nigeria.
“The Commercial and Investment Partnership, or CIP, is one of the top priorities of my tenure as the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria.
“The CIP underscores the United States’ strong commitment to further enhancing our bilateral commercial and investment ties.
“It will foster economic growth and create opportunities that benefit people across our great nations,” he said.
Mr Thomas Bruns, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Middle and Africa, described CIP as reflecting the shared commitment to deepening economic ties, fostering innovation, and expanding business opportunities in both countries.
He said the U.S. Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration, being the government’s private sector voice, was proud of its work to foster international commerce.
Bruns explained that this would be achieved by strengthening collaboration in sectors that are engines of growth for both countries, including infrastructure, agriculture, and the digital economy, adding that he was thrilled to witness it.
“We can advance prosperity, create jobs, and build a foundation for sustainable economic growth that benefits our people and lasts for the long term,” he said.
Participants in the nominated group lead the identification of non-tariff barriers to trade and investment to foster job creation, encourage private sector engagement, and address key challenges in the prioritised sectors.
Four senior officials from both sides, including Mills, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Amb. Nura Rimi, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, and Julie LeBlanc, U.S. State Department of Commerce led the dialogue.
The quartet agreed to review progress biannually and identify future cooperation areas. At the same time, the following formal CIP meeting is scheduled for later in the year.
