The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has assured American investors of business opportunities and improving security in Nigeria, urging them to explore the country’s vast economic potential.

Abbas, represented by the House Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja when a delegation of the United States Chamber of Commerce visited him.

He acknowledged the challenges facing the country but said the Federal Government was committed to improving the business environment and strengthening trade relations with the United States.

“People will tell you that Nigeria is a tough place to do business. But those who say so have not been tried before. It’s one of the easiest places to do business. There’s nothing you need that you cannot find here,” he said.

Abbas said Nigeria’s youthful population, skilled workforce, technical expertise and abundant natural resources offered investors opportunities across several sectors.

He described President Bola Tinubu’s administration as committed to expanding trade with the United States and other countries, despite the difficulties associated with economic reforms.

He, however, acknowledged that translating improvements in national economic indicators into better living conditions at the grassroots remained a challenge.

The Speaker welcomed the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides eligible African countries with preferential access to the United States market, describing it as an opportunity to deepen trade and expand commercial ties.

On security, Abbas said the situation had improved significantly, citing cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in tackling extremist threats.

He added that the National Assembly had enacted laws to support businesses and strengthen security agencies in protecting lives and property.

He urged American investors to look beyond oil and gas and explore opportunities in agriculture, healthcare, education, tourism, hospitality, construction, sports, fashion and solid minerals.

Abbas identified agribusiness as a promising area, while pointing to growing demand for hospitality services and the need for world-class medical facilities as opportunities for investment.

He also encouraged American companies to explore lithium, gold and other solid minerals found across several states.

According to him, Nigeria’s vibrant private sector could help foreign investors navigate the local market, build business networks and identify viable projects.

The Speaker urged the delegation to engage Nigerian business leaders and work within established laws and regulations to develop partnerships capable of delivering returns for investors and economic benefits for the country.

Earlier, the President of the US Chamber of Commerce’s US-Africa Business Center, Kendra Gaither, said the delegation was in Nigeria to strengthen commercial relations and identify practical investment opportunities.

She said the team would spend three days meeting government officials and industry leaders to advance bankable projects, deepen business partnerships and create jobs in both countries.

Gaither disclosed that the US-Africa Business Center and the American Business Council Nigeria had established the US-Nigeria Business Initiative to identify sectors where companies from both countries could collaborate more closely.

She also highlighted opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying stronger commercial ties could help Nigerian and American businesses expand their reach across African markets.

Gaither said the delegation was seeking Abbas’s guidance on strengthening cooperation between the two countries’ business communities and translating their longstanding relationship into concrete economic gains.