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The United States has reinstated its commitment to expanding economic, security and cultural cooperation with Nigeria, announcing that bilateral trade between both countries rose to nearly $15 billion in 2025, a 14 per cent increase from the previous year.
The Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, Keith Heffern, disclosed this on Wednesday at the Freedom 250 celebration marking the 250th Independence Day of the United States, held at the U.S. Consul General’s Residence in Lagos.
Heffern described Nigeria as one of Washington’s most strategic partners in Africa, saying the relationship has evolved over six decades into a strong alliance driven by trade, investment, innovation, security cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
He said Nigeria is now the United States’ second-largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, with more than 100 American companies operating in the country.
“As the United States places trade and investment at the heart of our engagement across Africa, dynamic cities like Lagos, with its energy, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, play a critical role in driving economic growth and expanding commercial ties between our two nations,” Heffern said.
“Nigeria is now the United States’ second-largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2025, two-way trade between our countries reached nearly $15 billion, a 14 per cent increase over 2024.
These aren’t just numbers. With more than 100 U.S. companies operating in Nigeria, they represent jobs, opportunities and economic transformation for Americans and Nigerians.”
He said the U.S. Mission is actively supporting American businesses through the U.S.-Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership, a five-year agreement with Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment aimed at removing obstacles to trade and boosting private sector investment.
According to him, the initiative, now in its second year, has brought together nearly 50 Nigerian and American companies to strengthen collaboration in agriculture, infrastructure and the digital economy.
The envoy also highlighted growing security cooperation between both countries, pointing to the successful joint operation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that dismantled a transnational drug trafficking and money laundering network earlier this year.
He said the United States is equally strengthening maritime security cooperation with Nigeria, citing the recent participation of the U.S. Naval Forces Africa in the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary celebrations as evidence of both countries’ shared commitment to regional stability.
On cultural diplomacy, Heffern said music continues to serve as a bridge between the two nations, noting that while Motown transformed American music, Nigeria’s Afrobeats has become a global phenomenon.
He praised Nigerian stars Rema and Burna Boy for showcasing the country’s creative excellence on the world stage and said the United States intends to deepen ties through sports as it prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.
Heffern also acknowledged the contributions of over 14,000 Nigerians who have participated in U.S. government exchange programmes, describing them as ambassadors of stronger bilateral relations.
He further announced that construction of the new U.S. Consulate General in Eko Atlantic is progressing, describing the project as one of America’s biggest diplomatic investments anywhere in the world.
“The progress we celebrate tonight is not accidental. It is the result of decades of partnership, investment and diplomacy,” Heffern said.
“It is why the United States is making one of its most significant investments anywhere in the world right here in Lagos.”
He expressed confidence that the expanding partnership would create more opportunities for trade, investment, innovation and shared prosperity for both countries.
