APC chieftain seeks stronger Nigeria-US trade ties

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and former presidential aspirant, Tein Jack-Rich, has called for stronger economic and investment ties between Nigeria and the United States, saying deeper collaboration would accelerate industrialisation, create jobs and drive economic growth across Africa.

Jack-Rich made the call in Washington, DC, after receiving an award at the Celebrate America 250 event marking the United States’ semiquincentennial celebration, according to a statement issued by his media office on Thursday.

The event brought together prominent American political and business leaders, including Eric Trump, son of US President Donald Trump, and members of the US Congress, among them Representative Jim Jordan.

Speaking after receiving the award, Jack-Rich urged the United States to expand trade, investment and technology partnerships with Nigeria and the rest of Africa, arguing that the continent’s economic potential could only be unlocked through stronger collaboration.

“What Africa needs is the right access. What Africa needs is the right collaboration. What Africa needs is the right partnership,” he said.

Describing the United States as Africa’s most dependable strategic partner, Jack-Rich said closer commercial engagement would benefit both economies.

“The best partner that Africa can ever take to the bank with a written note and have that note generate capital for growth is the USA,” he said.

He argued that positioning Nigeria as America’s primary economic partner in Africa would stimulate industrial development across the continent.

“If you have the U.S. having its launching pad in Nigeria, the whole of the continent will have that industrial revolution. There will be massive employment, capital growth and dignified lives,” he said.

Jack-Rich said Nigeria’s vast oil and gas reserves, critical minerals, agricultural resources and youthful population made it the natural gateway for American investors seeking opportunities in Africa.

According to him, stronger bilateral trade and investment would support Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a trillion-dollar economy while creating new opportunities for American businesses.

He added that his vision of strengthening Nigeria-U.S. relations influenced his decision to seek the APC presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 general election.

“I wanted that opportunity where Nigeria and the U.S. can be the best partners. That’s my primary reason,” he said.

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Jack-Rich also urged the United States to sustain its engagement with Africa, insisting that Nigeria remains central to the continent’s economic transformation.

“Until Nigeria is set on the right stage, it will be difficult for Africa to have a launching pad,” he added.

Also speaking, Eric Trump described Africa as one of the world’s most promising investment destinations and called for stronger U.S. economic engagement with the continent.

“I’ve spent a tremendous amount of time all over Africa, and the potential is unbelievable. The beauty of the countries and the natural resources speak for themselves,” he said.

He warned that if the United States failed to deepen trade and investment relations with Africa, other global powers could fill the gap.

“If America doesn’t do it, there are other adversaries in the world, and we know exactly who they are that will do it,” Trump said.

According to him, expanding partnerships with African countries aligns with President Donald Trump’s economic agenda.

“My father talks about America First. To be America First, you have to have strong partnerships. You can’t drive other countries away from us,” he said.

Trump said Jack-Rich’s remarks reflected Africa’s readiness for greater engagement with the United States.

“We had better embrace that as a nation, and I know under my father that will certainly happen with the entire Africa,” he added.

Nigeria and the United States maintain one of Africa’s largest commercial relationships, with American companies playing significant roles in Nigeria’s oil and gas, technology, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare and financial services sectors.

Although crude oil has historically dominated bilateral trade, recent years have seen increased cooperation in digital innovation, renewable energy, critical minerals, infrastructure development and entrepreneurship.

Successive Nigerian governments have sought increased US foreign direct investment to diversify the economy beyond oil, while analysts say stronger business collaboration between both countries could boost trade, enhance technology transfer, create jobs and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional investment hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area.