On Thursday, April 18, the U.S. Nigeria Council for Food Security, Trade, and Investment
(USNC) convened a dinner event to discuss the bilateral economic relationship. The event took place on the margins of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings in Washington, DC. H.E. Wale Edun, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, as well as Michael Heath, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for West Africa keynoted the event.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and USNC Chairman Terence McCulley welcomed guests to the dinner with remarks on recent developments in the US-Nigeria relationship, including the important session of the Binational Commission that concluded several weeks prior. DAS Heath gave more details on these meetings, as well as on other priorities in the US-Nigeria relationship, such as tech cooperation, support to Nigerian creative industries, and security partnerships.
H.E. Minister Edun spoke about his efforts to calm the Nigerian economy and improve the
investment climate, particularly insofar as the naira is concerned. He struck a positive tone on the Tinubu administration’s achievements as it nears one year in office, promising further
progress in the months to come.
After the keynote speeches, USNC Senior Advisor, Aubrey Hruby, moderated a discussion
featuring entrepreneurs and investors in attendance. It was an honor for the USNC to host H.E. Minister Edun and DAS Heath and we were pleased to welcome many USNC members, including Founding Member John Coumantaros, Chairman of Flour Mills of Nigeria and Honorary Co-Chair of the USNC, Amb. John Negroponte, Vice Chairman of McLarty Associates and Honorary Co-Chair of the USNC, Amb. Lee Feinstein, President of McLarty Associates, Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive of Oando, and Ani Orugboh of Chevron.