As part of ongoing efforts to attract global investments and foster sustainable development in North East Nigeria, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Dr. Mohammed G. Alkali, represented by Dr. Garba Iliya, joined a delegation of lawmakers and key stakeholders at the Nigeria–USA Business Summit for a high-level engagement with Dr. Bethany Hall-Long, former Lieutenant Governor and Governor of Delaware, United States.
The strategic meeting focused on deepening bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the United States through mutually beneficial partnerships, investment opportunities, and knowledge exchange. Discussions explored practical pathways for attracting American companies and investors to North East Nigeria, particularly in priority sectors such as agriculture, solid minerals and mining, security technology, infrastructure development, renewable energy, and other critical areas capable of accelerating economic growth and regional stability.
During the engagement, Mr. David, a member of Dr. Hall-Long’s team, highlighted the immense potential of Nigeria’s youthful and energetic population as a catalyst for economic transformation. He proposed the development of collaborative agricultural ventures, innovative project financing mechanisms, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at creating employment opportunities while boosting food production and value-chain development.
He further expressed his team’s commitment to strengthening ties with Nigeria and announced plans for a follow-up visit to the country in July to advance discussions and explore investment prospects firsthand.
In the healthcare sector, Dr. Hall-Long introduced the possibility of bringing FAEX Health, an innovative artificial intelligence-powered smartphone disease screening platform, to Nigeria. The proposed initiative would mark the technology’s first deployment in Africa and has the potential to significantly enhance healthcare delivery through early disease detection, improved outbreak monitoring and prevention, data-driven decision-making, and more efficient management of healthcare resources. The delegation welcomed the proposal as a promising step toward leveraging technology to strengthen public health systems across the region.
The meeting underscored the growing international interest in the economic and development potential of North East Nigeria and reaffirmed the commitment of all parties to fostering strategic partnerships that will drive investment, innovation, job creation, and sustainable development.
The engagement concluded on a cordial note, with His Excellency, Ambassador and Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., Lateef Kayode, presenting a token of appreciation to the delegation in recognition of their commitment to promoting Nigeria’s interests and advancing international cooperation for national development.
