By 
Mr. Sylvester Turner, the Mayor of Houston, Texas, United States of America, has highlighted the importance of resolving major regulatory constraints in Nigeria to attract foreign investors. He emphasized that potential investors from Houston would prefer to see certainty and a clear regulatory environment before considering investments in the country.
Leading a diverse 30-member business delegation on a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Mayor Turner expressed that investors seek stability in policies rather than dealing with a back-and-forth scenario. He encouraged Nigeria to establish a Counsellor’s Office in Houston to enhance trade facilitation and strengthen economic ties.
The Mayor also advocated for the resumption of direct flights between Houston and Nigeria, noting that the current multiple flights totaling 16 hours between the two locations could strain trade relations. He recalled the existence of direct flights between Nigeria and Houston in 2016/2017, expressing a desire for their revival.
Mayor Turner conveyed Houston’s readiness to invest in various sectors of Nigeria’s economy, including energy, agriculture, and technology. Emphasizing Houston as the energy capital of the world, he emphasized the need to reach out globally and explore investment opportunities.
Responding to the delegation, Dr. Evelyn Ngige, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, expressed Nigeria’s willingness to collaborate with Houston in strengthening trade and economic relations. She highlighted Nigeria’s status as one of the largest trading partners of the US, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, leading to significant Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow into the country.
Ngige appreciated the selection of Nigeria as one of the three countries earmarked for the trade mission and emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen ties between the two countries. She highlighted existing trade activities between Nigeria and Houston, amounting to an average of $1.6 billion. Ngige expressed the ministry’s commitment to work with the Houston delegation to further boost this trade figure for mutual benefit.
The focus sectors of the delegation align with Nigeria’s current administration’s development agenda for renewed hope, the National Development Agenda 2021 – 2025, and Nigeria Agenda 2050. The ministry expressed its readiness for collaboration, partnership, and cooperation to enhance trade relations with its partners.
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