A multi-day delegation led by the Consulate General of Nigeria (New York) convened state and local officials, port authorities, and the GABA Board to explore international trade, investment, and logistics opportunities between Nigeria and Michigan.
August 11, 2024
Michigan — In August 2024, the Consulate General of Nigeria (New York) led a high-level diplomatic visit to Michigan, engaging state and local leaders, port authorities, and the Global African Business Association (GABA) Board of Directors in a series of strategic discussions aimed at expanding international trade between Nigeria and Southeast Michigan.
The delegation, led by Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, Consul General of Nigeria (New York), and Trade Ambassador Franklin Abiola Ogunyemi, visited several key economic sites across Wayne and Monroe Counties—including the Port of Monroe, Eastern Market, and Michigan Central—in partnership with GABA and local government partners.
At the core of the mission was a shared vision: to explore how Michigan’s ports and regional infrastructure can serve as a new gateway for Nigerian imports, exports, and industrial collaboration.
“This mission was about diplomacy in action,” said Akindele Akinyemi, Co-Founder of the Global African Business Association. “It was a strategic dialogue between governments—anchored by a shared commitment to building trade routes that serve our economies, our people, and our future.”
A focal point of the visit was a roundtable at the Port of Monroe, where officials from DRM Terminal Services and Monroe Economic Development presented the port’s growing capabilities—including its upcoming container terminal and access to the St. Lawrence Seaway. These assets represent untapped potential for expanded maritime trade between Nigeria and the Midwest.
Meanwhile, in Detroit, the delegation met with Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans, Commission Chair Alisha Bell, Economic Development Director Hassan Sheikh, and Deputy Executive Assad I. Turfe. The conversations centered on how Wayne County can actively support 21st-century trade strategies with African nations, particularly in sectors like raw materials, manufacturing, logistics, and industrial development.
“This engagement reflects our commitment to building global trade partnerships rooted in integrity, strategy, and mutual benefit,” said O. Rerhi Onomake, Co-Founder of the Global African Business Association. “When local government, African leadership, and diaspora institutions align—we unlock systems-level change.”
As GABA continues to deepen international relationships that advance diaspora trade, this visit affirmed a broader movement: Africa is not waiting to be included in the global economy—it is leading it.
The Consulate General’s visit marks a meaningful step toward a bilateral trade framework between Michigan and Nigeria, grounded in diplomacy, infrastructure, and long-term opportunity. GABA is honored to have served as a trusted convener, connector, and partner in this historic dialogue.
