At the U.S. Thanksgiving service in Lagos, Consul General Will Stevens marked the end of his tenure and highlighted the strengthening Nigeria-U.S ties.

He celebrated the rise in bilateral trade to over $11 billion and the impact of U.S. initiatives like EducationUSA and American Spaces.

As U.S. Consul General Will Stevens neared the end of his tenure in Nigeria, he took a moment to reflect on the significant strides both nations had made in strengthening their relationship.

At the annual Thanksgiving service in Lagos, organised with the American Business Council (ABC), Stevens expressed gratitude for his role in deepening the ties between the United States and Nigeria.

“I’ve had the honour of living and working in Nigeria for the past two and a half years”, Stevens said.

He highlighted the growth in trade, noting that bilateral trade had increased from $10 billion to $11.3 billion over the past year.

Additionally, U.S. direct investment in Nigeria rose by 5.5%, reaching $6.5 billion in 2023.

Moreover, Stevens praised U.S. companies for their contributions beyond business, particularly their focus on community development.

Read Also: CBN Increases Interest Rate By 0.25% To Tackle Inflation

“U.S. companies invest in people and communities, not just profits”, he explained.

Furthermore, he pointed to initiatives like EducationUSA, which helps Nigerian students study in the U.S., and the network of 27 American Spaces that foster cultural exchange.

In addition, CEO of the ABC, Margaret Olele, also praised the Council’s efforts to promote trade and investment.

She further discussed a recent partnership with the United States Agency for International Development, aimed at training Nigerian youth in digital skills.

Lastly, as Stevens prepared to leave, he expressed confidence that the strong partnership between the U.S. and Nigeria would continue to grow, bringing lasting benefits to both nations.