UNGA80: Govs, Ministers Present as Nigeria Showcases Leadership at US-Africa Business Week 2025

• Nigeria reinforced its position as a leading force in Africa’s trade and investment at the 2025 USAfrica Business Week held alongside the 80th UN General Assembly in New York
• The country’s delegation of governors, ministers and entrepreneurs joined over 1,000 global leaders to explore partnerships in agribusiness, solid minerals, infrastructure, etc
• The event has reportedly led to new export deals for Nigerian SMEs and strengthened Nigeria’s visibility as a gateway to US-Africa trade

New York, US - Nigeria highlighted its role as a key player in Africa’s trade and investment future at the 2025 USAfrica Business Week (UBW2025), held alongside the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The annual platform, founded by Gbenga Omotayo, brought together more than 1,000 senior government, business and diaspora leaders to promote US-Africa partnerships.

USAfrica Business Week: governors, ministers present

Legit.ng gathers that Nigeria sent a high-level delegation of state governors, federal ministers and entrepreneurs to the forum.

Participants included Plateau state governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang; Zamfara state governor Dauda Lawal; minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure; and Ngozi Oyewole, founder of NOXIE Ltd and chairperson of the wood products and furniture group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.

They joined the US and African dignitaries such as former US Export-Import Bank president Reta Jo Lewis, US Congresswoman Jennifer McCormick, Democratic Republic of Congo Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba, New York State Assemblywoman Latrice Walker and officials from the city’s International Affairs Office.

Nigeria open for global partnerships

In his remarks, Omotayo said, “UBW2025 reinforced Nigeria’s role as a driver of Africa’s trade and investment future.

“From agribusiness and solid minerals to infrastructure and diaspora capital, Nigeria is open for global partnerships," he said.

Some of the major highlights of the event include:

Critical Minerals Roundtable: Nigerian and Congolese officials held talks with U.S. investors on ethical mining and industrial value chains.

Governors’ Spotlight: Plateau and Zamfara showcased state-level opportunities in agribusiness, solid minerals and investment promotion.

FCT Urban Development Dialogue: The Minister of State for FCT discussed diaspora capital for infrastructure and smart-city projects.

Diaspora Market Day: More than 80 African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including Nigerian brands, displayed products to U.S. buyers.

Deal Room: Curated matchmaking sessions linked Nigerian officials and SMEs with global investors.

USAfrica Business Week: Early outcomes

Nigerian SMEs secured new export deals in the U.S. market, officials said. The Plateau and Zamfara governments opened follow-up investment talks with US firms, while the FCT minister began discussions on diaspora-driven urban infrastructure projects.

Organisers said UBW2025 also enhanced Nigeria’s visibility as a gateway to US-Africa trade partnerships.

USAfrica Business Week is a flagship platform for U.S.–Africa trade and investment engagement, convening policymakers, investors and diaspora leaders each year during the UN General Assembly in New York.

80th UNGA: 10 takeaways from Nigeria’s national statement

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Presidency highlighted the 10 key takeaways from Nigeria’s UNGA national statement delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Among other takeaways is Nigeria's insistence that Africa deserves a permanent seat on the UN Security Council to ensure fairness, relevance, and global balance.

Nigeria also proposed the establishment of an International Court of Justice to address sovereign debt.

Source: Legit.ng