Urban News

The United States marked its 249th Independence Day on June 30, 2025, with a grand celebration at the U.S. Consulate General residence in Lagos, Nigeria, underscoring the deepening partnership between the two nations.

Acting U.S. Consul General JoEllen Gorg delivered the keynote remarks, highlighting the enduring friendship and shared values of freedom, excellence, and opportunity that have defined the American spirit for nearly 250 years and now underpin its international relations, particularly with Nigeria.

Gorg emphasized a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy toward Africa, moving away from traditional development aid to prioritizing commercial partnerships.

Central to this new approach is the recently launched United States-Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership (CIP).

The CIP a five-year initiative aimed at removing trade barriers, boosting bilateral investment, and expanding economic opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture, the digital economy, and infrastructure. Nigeria is one of only five African countries selected for this strategic engagement.

The CIP’s working groups, involving nearly 50 American and Nigerian private sector partners, were formally launched in Abuja just days before the celebration to drive this agenda forward.

The event was attended by distinguished guests. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, other governors and deputy governors, members of Nigeria’s National Assembly, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and members of the diplomatic corps were present.

Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed appreciation for the U.S. Consulate’s ongoing support in entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, and technology development in Lagos, describing the partnership as an opportunity to reflect on shared democratic values, peace, and aspirations.

The celebration also highlighted the significant Nigerian diaspora in the United States, with over 700,000 people of Nigerian descent living there, making Nigeria the largest African diaspora community in the U.S. This cultural and economic connection further strengthens bilateral ties.

Additionally, the U.S. Consulate announced upcoming engagements, including a visit from President Biden’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which includes Nigerian Americans.

This visit aims to explore how diaspora connections can translate into increased economic prosperity for both countries.

Overall, the Independence Day event served not only as a celebration of American history but as a platform to reinforce a bold new era of partnership between the United States and Nigeria, focused on mutual prosperity through trade, investment, and people-to-people ties rather than traditional aid.