President Bola Tinubu recently held a meeting with Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor for Africa to U.S. President Donald Trump, in Paris. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways to enhance economic and security ties between Nigeria and the United States. The focus was on strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, and regional security.
During the meeting, the discussion revolved around boosting American investment in Nigeria and across Africa, with a particular emphasis on energy, infrastructure, trade, and job creation. This aligns with Nigeria’s national development goals and aims to foster economic growth and development in the region.
A statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, highlighted the U.S. State Department’s interest in strengthening direct engagement with Nigeria. The U.S. delegation expressed a keen interest in working closely with President Tinubu to deepen economic cooperation and expand American presence in key sectors in Nigeria.
Boulos acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in the region and commended Tinubu’s efforts to stabilize key areas in Africa. President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to building productive alliances with the United States based on transparency, opportunity, mutual respect, and outcomes that strengthen Africa’s position in the global economy.
In a broader context, President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in Africa is becoming more apparent as his administration re-engages with key leaders on the continent. This shift is driven by global competition, security concerns, and critical trade interests. The appointment of Massad Boulos as Senior Advisor for Africa further confirms this renewed focus on Africa.
Boulos has already embarked on high-level engagements, including a diplomatic tour of four African nations. His meeting with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in Paris signifies Washington’s renewed emphasis on strengthening ties with Africa’s largest economy and reasserting U.S. presence in the region amidst growing Chinese and Russian influence.
Trump’s Africa strategy aims to boost U.S. investments in infrastructure, energy, and critical minerals, while also exploring joint efforts to address insecurity in regions like the Sahel. The discussions between President Tinubu and Boulos reflect a concerted effort by the Trump administration to deepen economic cooperation and enhance security partnerships with African nations.
