President Bola Tinubu held a high-level meeting last Thursday in Paris with a delegation from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to explore a strategic economic and security collaboration between Nigeria, Africa, and the United States.
The meeting, as revealed in a statement issued on Sunday by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, was led by Mr. Massad Boulos, Trump’s Senior Advisor on Africa.
Discussions centered around shared interests in regional stability, economic prosperity, and mutual respect.
Onanuga disclosed “the US State Department rep conveyed President Trump’s strong interest in deepening direct engagement with Nigeria as a cornerstone of US relations with Africa.”
He added: “The US wanted to work closely with President Tinubu to expand American investment in Nigeria and Africa, support energy and infrastructure development, and align trade and job creation efforts.”
The talks extended to pressing regional matters, particularly the crises in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Sahel region.
“Both sides discussed actionable support and shared their perspectives on regional peace, particularly in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and across the Sahel,” Onanuga noted.
Mr. Boulos reportedly acknowledged Nigeria’s strategic role on the continent.
“President Trump’s advisor recognised Nigeria’s regional and continental leadership and supported President Tinubu’s interventions to stabilise key African regions,” the statement added.
President Tinubu, for his part, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to fostering beneficial relationships with the United States.
“President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to build productive alliances with the United States, centred on transparency, opportunity, mutual respect and outcomes that strengthen Africa’s place in the global economy.”
