U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr. and Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole.
By John Okeke
Senior United States and Nigerian officials, alongside private sector leaders, have met in Abuja to launch the working group meetings of the U.S.–Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership (CIP), aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
The CIP, established under a five-year Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2024, focuses on expanding opportunities in agriculture, the digital economy, and infrastructure.
A statement from the U.S. Mission said the talks were led by Ambassador Richard Mills; Julie LeBlanc, Senior Commercial Officer; Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; and Ambassador Nura Rimi, Permanent Secretary of the ministry.
U.S. Ambassador Mills said: “The Commercial and Investment Partnership, or CIP, is one of the top priorities of my tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, so it gives me immense pleasure to see the launch of the working groups come to fruition. The CIP underscores the United States’ strong commitment to further enhancing our bilateral commercial and investment ties, fostering economic growth, and creating opportunities that benefit people across both our great nations.”
The working groups, made up of private sector players from both countries, will identify non-tariff trade barriers, promote job creation, and advise policymakers on overcoming sector challenges.
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Thomas Bruns added: “The U.S.-Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership reflects our shared commitment to deepening economic ties, fostering innovation, and expanding opportunities for businesses in both nations. The Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration is proud of its work to foster international commerce and, as the U.S. Government’s voice for the U.S. private sector, we are thrilled to launch these working groups with our Nigerian counterparts. By strengthening collaboration in sectors that are engines of growth for both our nations—including infrastructure, agriculture, and the digital economy—we can advance prosperity, create jobs, and build a foundation for sustainable economic growth that benefits our people and lasts for the long-term.”
The four senior U.S. and Nigerian principals agreed to review progress on a biannual basis and to identify future areas of cooperation. The next formal meeting of the CIP will take place in Fall 2025.
