Former Governor of Ekiti State Dr Kayode Fayemi, has called on the United States to avoid the trap of isolationism in its engagement with Africa, insisting that Nigeria must be treated as a strategic partner in the emerging world order.
Fayemi , ex-Minister of Mines and Steel Development,
made the call in Lagos while speaking as a panelist at the Nigeria Moment, a Nigeria–United States Strategic Dialogue organised by the American Business Council in collaboration with the Heritage Foundation.
In his presentation, which focused on why Nigeria is a must-have partner in the changing world order, Fayemi,former chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) stressed the need for a more holistic relationship between both countries grounded in transparency, mutual benefit and shared prosperity.
“While welcoming the growing American interest in Nigeria’s vast mineral endowment, Fayemi warned that the partnership must go beyond resource extraction.
“Nigeria must be engaged as a strategic actor and a co-creator in shaping the future of global energy and resource governance, rather than as a testing ground for experiments. A partnership built on mutual respect, shared interests and long-term cooperation offers the strongest foundation for an enduring relationship between Nigeria and the United States,” Fayemi said.
Describing the engagement as a pleasure, Fayemi said the dialogue brought together a distinguished group of policymakers, business leaders and strategic thinkers to reflect on the future of Nigeria-US relations.
He commended the convener of the dialogue, Mr Ayo Otuyalo, Managing Director of Prime Atlantic Ltd, for an excellent convening and for bringing together such high-level participants for the important strategic conversation.
The conference featured Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State as keynote speaker, alongside senior representatives of the Federal Government, including the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Power,
Also st the event were : Engr Joseph Tegbe; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, represented by Engr Simon Nkom; and the Head of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyinwa Eyesan.
Other Nigerian speakers included former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Odein Ajumogobia; former Chief of Defence Staff, General LEO Irabor; and the Group Managing Director of UBA, Mr Oliver Alawuba.
The US delegation included James Carafano, Senior Counselor to the US President on International Engagement; Ambassador Carla Sands of the America First Institute; Honourable Kimberley Reed, the first female Chairman of the US Export-Import Bank; Mr Han Ilhan of Catalis Strategies; Admiral Paul Thomas (rtd) of the US Coast Guard; and Architect Kaush Arha, a veteran of several US administrations.