USNC Convenes Discussion on Energy and Minerals in New York City

On Wednesday, September 24, the U.S. Nigeria Council for Food Security, Trade, and Investment (USNC) hosted a working breakfast to discuss U.S.-Nigeria collaboration in the energy and critical minerals sectors. The event took place on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) high-level week in New York City. H.E. Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals, H.E. Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), and Will Stevens, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for West African Affairs headlined the event, which also featured remarks from Council members, including Oando Group CEO Wale Tinubu and Chevron’s Michelle Obatoyinbo.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and USNC Chairman Terence McCulley welcomed guests to the breakfast and gave an overview of the enduring strength of Nigeria’s energy sector, as well as the emerging opportunities in the country’s mining space, both of which are key opportunities in advancing the U.S.-Nigeria commercial relationship.

DAS Stevens outlined the U.S. government’s interest in these important sectors in Nigeria as the Trump administration pursues an “all-of-the-above” strategy in the energy space, seeking to explore opportunities in legacy and renewable power sources.

Honourable Minister of State Lokpobiri discussed his efforts to ensure the enduring success of Nigeria’s oil industry and welcomed the support from U.S. investors, both in the form of longstanding partners like Chevron and from more recent entrants attracted by new discoveries.

Honourable Minister Alake noted the growing global interest in critical minerals, particularly from Washington. He detailed the minerals available in Nigeria, as well as the enabling environment that he is seeking to institutionalize in the country to attract foreign investors in the sector.

After the keynote speeches, USNC members gave updates on their operations in the energy sector. Wale Tinubu, Group CEO of Oando, detailed his efforts to increase the role of Nigeria’s indigenous oil companies, while Michelle Obatoyinbo, Chevron’s General Manager for Deepwater Operations, expressed Chevron’s optimism about its operations in Nigeria.

USNC Senior Advisor, Aubrey Hruby, then moderated a lively discussion between other members and guests to discuss these important sectors.

The US-Nigeria Council was honored to host two important ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet for this valuable discussion, as well as to welcome the most senior US government official responsible for West Africa. We were particularly pleased to recognize many USNC members, including Founding Member John Coumantaros, Chairman of Flour Mills of Nigeria and Honorary Co-Chair of the USNC, Amb. John Negroponte, Vice Chairman of McLarty Associates and Honorary Co-Chair of the USNC, Amb. Lee Feinstein, President of McLarty Associates, and Amb. Geoff Pyatt, Senior Managing Director for Energy & Critical Minerals at McLarty Associates.