The United States is shifting its focus in Nigeria from development assistance to commercial partnership, Acting Consul General JoEllen Gorg said on Monday during remarks at the U.S. Consulate’s 249th Independence Day celebration in Lagos.
Speaking at the event attended by top dignitaries—including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, and diplomats—Gorg emphasized a new U.S. approach that prioritizes economic engagement over traditional aid.
“Under the Trump Administration, the United States is prioritising commercial engagement over development assistance,” Gorg said, adding that the goal is to work with African nations “not as aid recipients, but as commercial partners.”
The move comes alongside the rollout of a new Commercial Diplomacy Strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa and follows fresh deals signed at the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Angola earlier this year.
In Nigeria, the U.S. is deepening its push through the U.S.-Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership, a five-year initiative designed to boost trade, remove barriers, and attract investment. Gorg said Nigeria is one of only five African countries selected for such an agreement.
Just last week, the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria joined Nigeria’s Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment and nearly 50 representatives from both countries’ private sectors to launch the initiative’s working groups. These teams will target non-tariff barriers in agriculture, digital economy, and infrastructure which are sectors seen as crucial for economic expansion and job creation on both sides.
The Acting Consul General further pointed to existing economic ties between the U.S. and Nigeria as a strong foundation for the new direction, reporting that two-way trade in goods and services between both countries totaled nearly $13 billion last year.
U.S. foreign direct investment in Nigeria rose to $6.5 billion—a 5.5% increase from 2022. More than 80 U.S. companies operate in Nigeria, and the country hosts the largest African diaspora community in the United States, with over 750,000 Nigerians living there.
Gorg also praised the role of Nigerians in the U.S., particularly those in technology, healthcare, and finance. She noted that many successful companies were co-founded by Nigerian alumni of U.S. universities, which is “the bedrock of our economic future.”
She encouraged responsible travel to the United States, reminding attendees that Nigerian visitors serve as “ambassadors” for their country and should adhere to immigration laws. Calling on investors, entrepreneurs, and public officials, Gorg urged collective action to eliminate trade bottlenecks and lower barriers to investment.
“The world’s eyes are on Nigeria—not just because of its size, but because of its growing influence,” she said.