Nigeria, United States Parliamentary Friendship Group To Host Economic Summit

The Nigeria–United States Parliamentary Friendship Group in the House of Representatives is set to hold an Economic and Investment Summit in October to boost business and legislative ties between the two countries.

Chairman of the group, Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, said in a statement in Abuja that the summit will bring together policymakers and investors to explore sustainable partnerships and expand trade opportunities.

According to the statement, the planned summit comes on the heels of a resolution by the House of Representatives urging the U.S. government to restore the five-year multiple-entry visa regime for Nigerian citizens.

The resolution, moved on July 22 by Hon. Mutkar Mohammed and six other lawmakers, faulted the U.S. State Department’s decision to downgrade visa privileges, describing it as detrimental to bilateral relations.

The House further directed Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take up the matter diplomatically.

Onuakalusi, who also represents Oshodi-Isolo II Federal Constituency of Lagos State, disclosed that a formal letter had already been transmitted to the U.S. Congress and assured that the visa issue would form part of discussions at the October summit.

PR Oduyemi Odumade