It was a pleasure to join the panel of speakers at the Nigeria Moment, a Nigeria–United States Strategic Dialogue organised by the American Business Council in collaboration with the Heritage Foundation in Lagos, Nigeria.
The conference featured the Governor of Lagos State, HE Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as keynote speaker, alongside senior representatives of the Nigerian government, including the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; the Minister of Power, Engr Joseph Tegbe; the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, represented by Engr Simon Nkom; and the Head of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyinwa Eyesan.
Other Nigerian speakers included Mr Odein Ajumogobia, former Minister of Foreign Affairs; General LEO Irabor, former Chief of Defence Staff; and Mr Oliver Alawuba of UBA. The US participants included James Carafano, Senior Counselor to the US President on International Engagement; Ambassador Carla Sands of the America First Institute; Honourable Kimberley Reed, the first female Chairman of the US Export-Import Bank; Mr Han Ilhan of Catalis Strategies; Admiral Paul Thomas (rtd) of the US Coast Guard; and Architect Kaush Arha, a veteran of several US administrations.
In my presentation, which focused on why Nigeria is a must-have partner in the changing world order, I stressed the importance of the United States avoiding the trap of isolationism in its engagement with Africa. I welcomed the growing interest in Nigeria’s mineral endowment while making the case for a more holistic relationship grounded in transparency, mutual benefit and shared prosperity.
Nigeria must be engaged as a strategic actor and a co-creator in shaping the future of global energy and resource governance, rather than as a testing ground for experiments. A partnership built on mutual respect, shared interests and long-term cooperation offers the strongest foundation for an enduring relationship between Nigeria and the United States.
My appreciation goes to the convener, Mr Ayo Otuyalo, Managing Director of Prime Atlantic Ltd, for an excellent convening and for bringing together such a distinguished group of policymakers, business leaders and strategic thinkers for this important dialogue.
