In a welcome remark delivered by the President, she stated that:
”The United States offers a predictable and transparent legal system, low taxes, outstanding infrastructure, and access to the world’s most lucrative consumer markets for investments.

While Nigeria’s economy offers significant value propositions for investments, with the Federal Government adopting rigorous efforts to ensure that areas of concern for foreign investors such as red tapes, incorporation process, taxation and visa policies are relaxed.

Our Roll-call of Speakers were:

1.⁠ ⁠Acting Executive Secretary & CEO of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Mrs. Hajja Gana Wakil.

2.⁠ ⁠Managing Director, Afrinvest West Africa, Abiodun Keripe.

3.⁠ ⁠Country Director of Nigeria/Program Director of Africa – Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce), Lola Adekanye.

4.⁠ ⁠Sector Head, Financial Institutions, Client Coverage of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Yewande Adedayo.

Acting D.G., Wofai Samuel stated that as a reputable and influential player in the U.S-Nigeria business community, the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce directly engages with policymakers, opinion leaders, and stakeholders by lobbying/advocating for the interests
and concerns of its members.

We continue to dialogue and seek ways of exploring socio-economic opportunities through businesses and services for the prosperity of the United States and Nigeria.

The Mission was aimed at promoting two-way trade between Nigeria and the State of Illinois, identifying sales representatives for goods, services, and products produced in Illinois, Introduce Goods, Services, and Products from Illinois market to the Nigerian Market, and overall networking with strategic persons across Government, the United States Diplomatic Community, and the Business Communities in Nigeria.

The Market Briefing by the Commercial Section of the United States Mission in Nigeria, featured presentations from:
Counselor for Commercial Affairs, Julie Marie LeBlanc.
Commercial Attache’, Blake Murray.
Senior Commercial Specialist, Ngozi Benedicta Nkwoh.
Commercial Specialist – Chamberlain Eke.

Illinois Companies on the Mission, were:
Ability Engineering Technology Inc.
Bush Infotech Group, Inc.
Chicago Medical Engineering.
Global CPR Technologies.
Gold Banner Beauty Products.
GREEN INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY INC.
MedGyn Products, Inc..
SDI ENGR Corp.
THE IT ARCHITECT CORPORATION.

The Mission was organized by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Trade and Investment, Government of Illinois, and supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Also in attendance, were the;
President of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, Dame Adebola Williams, KJW,
Sam Ntum, Senior International Trade Specialist (Africa), Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity,
Lauro Arias – Assistant Director, Illinois Office of Trade & Investment.

Acting Director-General, Wofai Samuel stated that, If the State of Illinois were a Country, it would be the 18th largest economy in the World, adding that Illinois is home to more than 2,000 foreign-owned and run businesses.

“We thank the State and people of Illinois, U.S.A, especially the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for strengthening the already existing economic Relationship between Nigeria and Illinois by hosting the Trade Mission.
Nigeria remains Africa’s largest economic market and the
Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce continues to be a credible channel for fostering U.S.-Nigerian Trade Ties”, she concluded.