Sanwo-Olu seeks deeper Lagos-US business ties

File photo: Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Photo: LASG

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has sought deeper economic and diplomatic ties with the United States, towards expanding opportunities for Nigerian-American businesses and strengthening engagement with the Nigerian diaspora.

Sanwo-Olu made the call when the United States Consul General in Lagos, Brandon Hudspeth, paid him a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Marina, recently.

The governor said the visit provided an opportunity to build on existing relations between Lagos and the United States, particularly following the recent Sister-State Agreement between Lagos and California.

“With the recent signing of our Sister-State Agreement with California, we have another opportunity to deepen the relationship between Lagos and the United States and create new areas of collaboration,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The discussions centred on deepening diplomatic cooperation, supporting Nigerian-American businesses and strengthening the state’s engagement with Nigerians in the diaspora.

Those present included the Commissioners for Transportation, Seun Osiyemi; Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka; and Innovation, Science and Technology, Tunbosun Alake, as well as the Special Advisers on Sustainable Development Goals, Oreoluwa Finnih, and Public-Private Partnerships, Bukola Odoe.

The meeting also marked the return of Hudspeth to Lagos in a different diplomatic capacity.

The consul general previously served in Lagos between 2020 and 2022 as head of the US Political and Economic team.

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Speaking, Sanwo-Olu said Hudspeth’s previous experience in Lagos meant he already understood the state’s “drive and energy.”

“It was a pleasure welcoming him back to Lagos, as he previously led the US Political and Economic team here from 2020 to 2022. He already understands the drive and energy of our state,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Sanwo-Olu said he looked forward to working with the consul general to strengthen the relationship between Lagos and the United States.

“It was good to reconnect, and I look forward to working with Consul General Hudspeth as we strengthen the ties between Lagos and the United States,” he added.

The engagement comes against the backdrop of the Lagos State Government’s recent push to expand its international economic partnerships, including the sister-state agreement with California, which the government has presented as a platform for cooperation in areas of shared interest.

The governor has consistently called for stronger US investment in Lagos and greater access to American markets for Lagos-based businesses, identifying trade, technology, innovation and the creative economy as areas with scope for deeper cooperation.

At a reception held for Hudspeth in August, the Consul General said he was optimistic about the future of the US-Nigeria partnership, highlighting opportunities in technology, the creative economy and commercial relations.

The meeting was also attended by the Acting Political/Economic Section Chief of the US Consulate General, Ilona Coyle; Political Specialist, Arnold Abulime; Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Sam Egube; Commissioners and Special Advisers of the Lagos State Government.