Tony Elumelu Highlights ‘Why Strong Nigeria–U.S. Relations Matter’

Tony Elumelu, one of Africa’s leading philanthropists and investors, has underscored the strategic importance of strong Nigeria–United States relations, describing the partnership as vital not only to both countries but to global stability and shared prosperity.

Elumelu said the relationship between Nigeria and the U.S. has long been rooted in shared values, economic ties and deep people-to-people connections, shaped in part by his personal experience as an entrepreneur educated in the U.S.

“Their philanthropic model drives my own philanthropic philosophy,” he said, noting that his family also continues to study in the country.

The champion of commerce highlighted the role of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group, which he chairs, describing it as “the only African bank licensed to do business in America,” adding that the institution employs Americans and plays a leading role in “catalysing business relationships between Africa and the U.S.”

According to the chairman of the financial powerhouse, Nigeria’s strategic relevance goes beyond economics, positioning the country as Africa’s largest democracy and a key stabilising force in a volatile region.

He also pointed to the strength of the Nigerian diaspora in the U.S., noting that Nigerian Americans rank among the most educated and economically successful groups in the country.

Elumelu said recent global attention on Nigeria’s security challenges, including its designation as a country of concern, makes this a critical moment for deeper engagement.

“It is a time for dialogue, clarity and emphasis on the mutually beneficial aspects of this relationship,” he gave context.

He explained that this context informed his decision to host a bipartisan delegation of six U.S. Congressional leaders in Abuja, describing the engagement as marked by “candid interactions, honest conversations, and a shared enthusiasm for a partnership that confronts our challenges.”

During the discussions, the chief campaigner for shared prosperity said he was unequivocal about Africa’s global importance, stressing that the continent must take control of its destiny amid growing international competition for its resources.

“Africa will not repeat its errors of the past and Africans must control our destiny,” he said, warning that unemployment, insecurity and extremism remain interconnected threats driven by poverty and lack of opportunity.

While acknowledging Nigeria’s security and governance challenges, Elumelu said the country is also defined by resilience, reform and immense opportunity, arguing that both realities must be reflected in policy decisions.

He said members of the visiting U.S. Congressional delegation expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral engagement, emphasising that sustainable partnerships are built through direct engagement with government, faith leaders and the private sector.

“Private enterprise is not a peripheral actor; it is central to stability,” the master entrepreneur said, noting that businesses play a critical role in job creation and poverty reduction.

Elumelu also disclosed that the delegation reaffirmed bipartisan support for reviving and prioritising the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) from January 2026, labeling it as “one of the most consequential trade frameworks between the United States and Africa.”

Looking ahead, the business leader called for a shift from labels to collaboration, deeper private sector-led engagement, broader cooperation beyond security, support for institution-building rather than dependency, and sustained bipartisan continuity in U.S. engagement with Nigeria.

“Nigeria matters to Africa, and to the world,” Elumelu said, adding that the U.S. remains an essential partner not just on security, but as an economic ally and development collaborator.

The heavy investor in Nigeria and Africa’s potentials expressed confidence that open, respectful and pragmatic engagement between both countries would deliver shared global progress.

A pathfinder in the global campaign for a better Africa, through the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), he has committed $100 million to identifying, training, mentoring and funding African entrepreneurs, with over 20,000 young people across all 54 African countries already supported. The programme is widely seen as one of the continent’s most ambitious private-sector interventions in youth empowerment.