President Bola Tinubu met with Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor for Africa to U.S. President Donald Trump, in Paris on Thursday to discuss strengthening economic and security ties between Nigeria and the United States.
The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, and regional security.
According to a statement released on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the meeting centered on boosting American investment in Nigeria and across Africa, with particular focus on energy, infrastructure, trade, and job creation—all in alignment with Nigeria’s national development goals.
The statement noted that the U.S. State Department representative conveyed President Trump’s strong desire to strengthen direct engagement with Nigeria, describing the country as a cornerstone of U.S. relations in Africa.
The U.S. delegation expressed a clear interest in working closely with President Tinubu to deepen economic cooperation and expand American presence in key sectors.
Boulos acknowledged Nigeria’s role as a regional and continental leader, commending Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to stabilize key areas in Africa.
“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,” the statement concluded.
Trump’s renewed interests in Africa
President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in Africa is becoming increasingly evident as his administration re-engages with key leaders across the continent.
After a period of limited focus during his first term, Trump is now signaling a sharper pivot toward Africa’s strategic importance—driven by global competition, security concerns, and critical trade interests.
The appointment of Massad Boulos, a businessman and Trump’s son-in-law by marriage, as Senior Advisor for Africa clearly confirms this shift.
Boulos has already begun high-level engagements.
Massad Boulos’s first port of call as President Trump’s Senior Advisor for Africa included a diplomatic tour of four African nations—Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda—solidifying Washington’s renewed focus on the continent.
His engagements culminated in a recent meeting in Paris with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
The talks reflect a broader push by the Trump administration to strengthen ties with Africa’s largest economy and reassert U.S. presence on a continent increasingly shaped by Chinese and Russian influence.
Trump’s renewed Africa strategy centers on boosting U.S. investments, especially in infrastructure, energy, and critical minerals, while also exploring joint efforts to tackle insecurity in regions like the Sahel.
