By Miriam Humbe
On Monday, Nigeria’s Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, held a strategic meeting with the outgoing United States of America, Ambassador, Richard M. Mills Jr. and the incoming U.S.A Consul-General to Nigeria, Rick Swart.
Both nations discussed the importance of shared commercial goals, deepening bilateral economic ties, and reviewing key trade and investment frameworks.
Dr. Oduwole said that Nigeria’s tariff on trade with the United States had moved from 14% to 15%, and clarified that despite this adjustment, Nigeria remained a favorable environment for U.S. investors.
The Minister emphasized the scale of duty-free machinery, equipment, and services entering Nigeria from the U.S.A, underlining the mutually beneficial nature of this commercial exchange.
She therefore highlighted the ongoing business-to-business engagements stemming from the commercial investment partnership launched on June 24, 2025, which continued with momentum and are set to culminate in a ministerial meeting on November 20th.
These engagements are the hallmarks of the enduring relationship between both Nigeria and America and their shared commitment to economic collaboration.
Dr. Oduwole said Nigeria was dedicated to advancing food sovereignty, digital trade, and competitiveness under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Nigeria First Policy and Intervention” initiative.
She said that recent monetary, fiscal, and trade reforms have yielded measurable results in stabilizing the economy and setting it on a growth trajectory.
Ambassador Richard M. Mills Jr. reaffirmed the United States’ goal to deepen its trade relationship with Nigeria which is Africa’s largest commercial market and highlighted the substantial U.S.A investments already present.
Ambassador Mills Jr. said that the incoming Consul General, Rick Swart, would play a vital role in furthering this agenda.
The incoming Consul General, Rick Swart pledged to advance the principles of free and fair trade that benefit businesses on both sides.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the U.S. government to expanding investment and trade opportunities with Nigeria, in alignment with broader strategic goals from Washington.
The meeting ended on a note of mutual respect and forward-looking optimism, as both countries hoped to build on their long-standing commercial relationship with renewed energy and aligned priorities.
