The chargé d’affaires in charge of the U.S. Mission to Nigeria, David Greene, says “this is a very exciting time” in the U.S.-Nigeria bilateral ties, stressing President Bola Tinubu’s petrol subsidy removal and the unification of the foreign exchange markets.

Mr Greene pointed out that the United States “remains committed to an enduring partnership” with Nigeria, centred on “our aspirations for shared prosperity and mutual economic growth.”

The American diplomat stated on Tuesday during a digital press briefing on the Global Diversity Export Initiative Trade Mission to South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria. 

“Just to quickly note that this is a very exciting time in the U.S.-Nigeria bilateral relationship, especially on the economic front, with the Tinubu administration taking and undertaking some of the structural changes that we think will create the foundation for new influxes of U.S. capital investment and increase two-way trade with Nigeria, and we’re already seeing a renewed interest by U.S. businesses and investors as well as other international investors,” Mr Greene explained.

He noted that Nigeria is home to Africa’s largest democracy, population, and economy. 

“We really believe that Nigeria’s economic growth will bring stability and prosperity not only for the Nigerian people but also across West Africa, where Nigeria is such an economic heavyweight, through cross-border expansion and economic integration, including under the African Continental Free Trade Area,” Mr Greene said during the briefing.

Regarding the war between Ukraine and Russia as it affects Africans, Mr Greene noted that the American government’s “Africa policy is about Africa, not about Russia, and the trade mission and undersecretary Lago’s presence here today speaks to the focus that we’re putting on our whole-of-government follow-up to the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and our commitment to drive intensified engagement on the economic front for the benefit of the people of Africa and our partner nations and for the United States, of course.”

Mr Greene added, “And I think in the Russia context, it’s worth mentioning that it’s not really clear what Russia is offering in that regard or the kind of commitments it may or may not have made or may or may not be following up on, whereas for us that follow-up is really essential.”

Per the question of grain sales and movement of grain in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war, the U.S. envoy stressed that “it is Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative that makes very – a week before their summit with Africa – makes very, very clear Russia’s choice to imperil global food security and price stability, to punish Ukraine, and at direct detriment to the interests of the people of so many countries around the world but especially here in Africa.”

The briefing also had in attendance the Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, Marisa Lago, from the U.S. Department of Commerce, formerly assistant secretary of Treasury for International Markets and Development.