A senior adviser to former U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Mr. Massad Boulos, has conveyed Trump’s strong interest in expanding direct engagement with Nigeria, describing the nation as a cornerstone of U.S.-Africa relations.
This was revealed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, following a meeting between Boulos and President Tinubu in Paris on Thursday.
According to the statement, Boulos, who serves as Trump’s Senior Advisor for Africa, visited to explore opportunities for deeper economic and security collaboration between the United States, Nigeria, and the African continent.
It further said discussions focused on expanding American investment in Nigeria, supporting energy and infrastructure development, and aligning trade and job creation initiatives to benefit both nations.
“The United States wants to work closely with President Tinubu,” Boulos said, highlighting the strategic importance of Nigeria in the broader African context.
Both parties also exchanged views on regional peace and stability, with particular emphasis on conflict zones such as the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Sahel.
The U.S. representative praised President Tinubu’s leadership, saying Nigeria’s role as a regional stabiliser was vital to long-term peace efforts.
“President Trump’s team recognises Nigeria’s regional and continental leadership and supports President Tinubu’s interventions to stabilise key African regions,” Boulos noted.
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In response, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to build productive and transparent alliances with the United States.
According to the statement, President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to “build productive alliances with the United States, centred on transparency, opportunity, mutual respect and outcomes that strengthen Africa’s place in the global economy”.