Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, has directed the country’s Permanent Mission in New York to open an official bank account with United Bank for Africa within the next seven days, in what he described as a long-overdue effort to strengthen support for Nigerian-owned businesses operating abroad.
The directive was issued during a meeting between officials of the Nigerian Mission and representatives of the bank in New York, according to a statement released by the ambassador’s media office.
Ambassador Ibrahim expressed concern that despite the presence of both the Nigerian Mission and UBA in New York for more than four decades, no formal banking relationship had existed between them.
He described the situation as unacceptable and inconsistent with the broader national objective of promoting Nigerian institutions and businesses on the global stage.
According to him, the decision to establish an official banking relationship with the financial institution was part of efforts to ensure that Nigerian organisations abroad deliberately support indigenous enterprises capable of competing internationally.
The envoy said he became aware of the absence of any banking ties while reviewing the Mission’s financial arrangements with officials attached to the diplomatic office.
“While reviewing our account, I asked the Financial Attaché if he was aware that UBA is here in New York, and he confirmed he was,” Ibrahim said in the statement.
The ambassador reportedly questioned why the Mission had failed to establish a banking partnership with a Nigerian bank operating within the same city despite years of coexistence.
He noted that Nigerian institutions operating internationally should demonstrate confidence in homegrown companies, especially those that have expanded successfully into global markets.
Observers say the move may signal a broader policy direction aimed at increasing patronage for Nigerian businesses and financial institutions in foreign countries where they operate.
UBA, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, has built an international presence over the years, with operations spanning several African countries as well as offices in major financial centres including New York, London, Paris and Dubai.
The bank’s New York branch primarily serves corporate clients, correspondent banking relationships and trade finance transactions linking Africa with the United States and other global markets.
Analysts believe the Nigerian Mission’s decision could strengthen institutional cooperation between the country’s diplomatic establishments and indigenous financial firms abroad.
The development also highlights growing conversations around economic nationalism and the need for Nigerian government agencies overseas to align more closely with local brands capable of projecting the country’s image internationally.
Diplomatic sources indicated that the Mission is expected to begin the process of documentation and account opening immediately in compliance with the ambassador’s directive.
The instruction, which comes with a seven-day deadline, underscores Ibrahim’s push for reforms and administrative adjustments within Nigeria’s diplomatic operations at the United Nations.
The Nigerian Mission in New York plays a strategic role in representing the country’s interests at the United Nations, coordinating multilateral engagements and facilitating international cooperation on political, economic and security matters.
With the new directive, officials believe the Mission may begin reviewing other operational partnerships to determine how Nigerian-owned enterprises can play a more active role in supporting the country’s foreign operations.
For many observers, the decision represents more than a routine banking arrangement. It reflects an attempt to encourage stronger institutional loyalty to Nigerian businesses and deepen confidence in indigenous brands competing in the global financial system.
