The Traffic

Nigeria’s Governors Seek Bigger US Deals on Economy, Governance, and Health 

By Achimi Muktar

Nigeria’s 36 state governors are making a bold move to strengthen ties with the United States, aiming for a partnership that goes beyond aid and charity. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), led by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has set its sights on economic growth, governance reforms, and a robust healthcare system with U.S. backing.

At a recent meeting in Abuja, the governors emphasized their commitment to working with state legislatures to implement governance reforms and push for effective policies at the subnational level.

From Aid to Alliance: A New Chapter in Nigeria-US Relations

In a major shift, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, laid out a vision that replaces the traditional donor-recipient model with a more balanced, mutually beneficial relationship. The focus? Investment, accountability, and local development.

Ambassador Mills outlined four key areas of collaboration:

Boosting Trade & Business – The U.S. plans to help create a more attractive investment climate, bringing opportunities that could drive Nigeria’s economic growth.

Promoting Good Governance – Transparency and accountability in governance will be a priority, ensuring stronger institutions and better service delivery.

Empowering State Governments – Recognizing that true development starts at the grassroots, the U.S. aims to support state governments in driving economic and social progress.

Sustaining Healthcare Programs – A Nigeria-led approach to health programs will be championed, ensuring long-term impact and resilience.

For Nigeria, this could mean better business opportunities, improved governance, and a healthcare system that doesn’t crumble under pressure.

Governors Back Women’s Economic Empowerment

Beyond international diplomacy, the NGF is pushing for gender inclusion, urging the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Ibrahim, to expand the Nigeria For Women Project (NFWP) nationwide. This initiative, which originally launched in six states, supports women’s economic empowerment through affinity groups, livelihood grants, and skills development. The goal? To help lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

The Digital Future of State Legislatures

In another major policy move, the NGF met with the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria (COSLON) to strengthen collaboration and discuss Nigeria’s ongoing constitutional review. A key highlight was the digitization of State Houses of Assembly through partnerships with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), aiming to improve efficiency and transparency in legislative processes.

What’s Next?

With Nigeria’s governors actively seeking stronger ties with the U.S. and pushing for reforms, the next few years could usher in significant changes in governance, business, and healthcare. The question remains: Will these efforts translate into real benefits for everyday Nigerians, or will they remain lofty political promises?