On Thursday, June 5, 2025, Lagos Business School (LBS) hosted the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills Jr. and his team. The visit featured a fireside chat, themed “Toward a Robust U.S.-Nigeria Commercial and Investment Partnership,” which explored investment and commercial opportunities between the two nations. Attendees included students, faculty, alumni, and the broader business community.
Professor Olayinka David-West, Dean of LBS, welcomed Ambassador Mills, emphasising the timely nature of the discussion. She stated, “This gathering is not just a dialogue, but a bold step forward in reinforcing the economic bonds between our two nations,” highlighting the mutual respect and collaboration between Nigeria and the U.S.
Following the dean’s welcome, Ambassador Mills began his remarks by commending Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) as a strategic educational partner, praising LBS for fostering a learning community for business leaders, of which his team at the U.S mission is a part. He specifically thanked Dean David-West for her continued support in furthering the intellectual exchange at the heart of the LBS-U.S. mission relationship, particularly the execution of last September’s Global AI conference, adding, “We at the U.S. mission cherish our partnership with LBS, which dates back many years.”
Ambassador Mills highlighted the robust and growing commercial and investment partnership between the U.S. and Nigeria during the engagement, emphasising a shift from aid to trade. He underscored Nigeria’s importance as a present and future global player and outlined key pillars and efforts to deepen bilateral economic ties. “We are engaging African nations, not as aid recipients, but as capable commercial partners.”
He also spoke extensively on a key priority of his as U.S. ambassador to Nigeria: increasing trade, investment, and business linkages between both nations. “To achieve this goal, last year, the U.S. Department of Commerce, together with Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, signed a commercial and investment partnership agreement, a five-year memorandum of understanding, which prioritises three key pillars: agriculture, the digital economy, and infrastructure. “We are officially launching the partnership discussions later this month in Abuja,” he stated.
The fireside chat, moderated by Professor Enase Okonedo, the Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, addressed key areas such as the role of the Nigerian diaspora in the U.S., President Trump’s tariffs, and barriers to trade between both countries.
The event was brought to a close by Dr Uche Attoh, who, in his vote of thanks, spoke on the knowledge exchange between Lagos Business School and business schools in the U.S. and the role this knowledge exchange plays in driving advancement and enabling international relations in a multipolar world.
Ambassador Mill’s visit to LBS exemplifies the ongoing efforts by the U.S. Mission to engage with key Nigerian institutions, fostering dialogue and partnerships vital for socio-economic development. It reinforces the belief that strong educational foundations and international collaborations are crucial for sustainable progress.
