May 11, (THEWILL) – California, with a $4.103 trillion economy that outstrips Japan and closes in on Germany for the world’s third largest economy spot, powers global innovation, entertainment, and agriculture from Los Angeles and San Francisco areas. Yet Nigeria, Africa’s most populous and endowed country, has no high commission or trade mission in this state, a glaring absence that limits trade, investment and cultural exchange whilst depriving Nigerian citizens living on the West Coast and Central America of consular services, including travel passport acquisition. Recent data suggest California may soon rank as the world’s third largest economy, behind only the United States and China.
California’s economy dwarfs that of many countries, including Japan, which it surpassed in 2024 with a gross domestic product of $4.02 trillion. The state hosts 78 Fortune 100 companies, more than any other United States region and its ports handle 40 percent of the nation’s imports.
Silicon Valley, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, is the global centre for technology, housing companies like Apple, Google, and Meta. These firms lead in digital services, artificial intelligence and financial technology, sectors Nigeria has repeatedly prioritised for growth.
Hollywood, based in Los Angeles, produces films and media consumed worldwide, generating billions in revenue. California’s agricultural sector, valued at over $50 billion annually, leads the United States in dairy, almonds and grapes, offering expertise Nigeria could tap to modernise its own farming industry, which employs 35% of its workforce.
Nigeria, with a gross domestic product of N22.61 trillion (which translates to about $14.06 bn) in 2024, relies heavily on oil but seeks to diversify into technology, agriculture and entertainment. Its film industry, known as Nollywood, generates about $3.6 billion annually, making it one of the world’s largest. The Nigerian diaspora, particularly in the United States, plays a vital role in economic and cultural exchange.
Over 100,000 Nigerians live in California, contributing to sectors like technology, healthcare, and education. Yet, Nigeria maintains diplomatic missions only in Washington DC, New York and Atlanta, Georgia (all on the East Coast and within just about 1.45 mins apart by flight), leaving other Nigerians residing in California, Houston, Illinois, Kansas, Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada, Arizona and several others, which are about 4-5 hours away from the East Coast by flight, stranded without local consular support. This gap complicates travel passport and visa processes, trade negotiations and cultural initiatives, creating barriers to deeper ties.
I still do not understand the rationale behind citing three diplomatic offices in one end of America. It is just absurd. I recall discussing this matter severally with Oronto Douglas, an influential advisor to President Goodluck Jonathan, who saw sense in my push for the government to establish a diplomatic office in California. I believe he raised the matter with the President who, according to Douglas, said it was a good decision. During his interactions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was discovered that the Nigerian Government, indeed, maintained a diplomatic post in San Francisco, but it had been closed a long time ago and the building which belonged to the government had been abandoned.
It was Douglas who led efforts to recover the property but unfortunately during this time, his health deteriorated and subsequently led to his death from cancer. President Jonathan also lost his re-election bid a few months later. That building today houses the ‘Nigeria Startup House,’ a tech initiative under the ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
The absence of a full-scale consulate in California, which could easily serve Nigerians and foreigners on this side of the country, hinders Nigeria’s ability to engage fully with potential investors. Nigerian startups like Flutterwave and Paystack have gained global attention, but partnerships with Silicon Valley firms remain limited. A trade mission could facilitate collaboration, connecting Nigerian entrepreneurs with investors and mentors. For example, the South African Consulate in Los Angeles plays a key role in promoting South African technology firms and fostering trade and investment between South Africa and California, securing deals with California companies. They work to enhance relations in areas like trade, tourism, arts and culture, and education. The Consulate also provides consular services, assisting South African citizens abroad. Nigeria, by contrast, lacks a similar platform, forcing its businesses to navigate complex regulations without local support. This disconnection risks stunting the growth of Nigeria’s technology ecosystem, which the government has identified as a priority for economic diversification.
Hollywood presents another missed opportunity. Nollywood’s global audience, particularly in Africa and the diaspora, could expand through co-productions with California studios. Joint projects could improve production quality, access new markets and promote Nigerian culture. Without a diplomatic presence, however, Nigerian filmmakers struggle to build networks in Los Angeles. Cultural exchanges, such as film festivals or music events, are similarly limited.
California’s diverse population, including millions of people of African descent, would likely embrace Nigerian festivals like the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival or dishes like jollof rice, but organising such events requires local coordination which Nigeria cannot easily provide from distant consulates.
Agriculture, a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy, could also benefit from California’s expertise. Nigeria faces challenges like low crop yields and outdated farming techniques. California’s advanced irrigation systems and research institutions, such as the University of California could share knowledge to boost productivity. Trade in agricultural goods, such as Nigeria’s cocoa or California’s almonds, could grow with a trade mission to streamline logistics and regulations.
Other African nations, like Kenya, have used trade offices in California to promote exports, increasing their agricultural trade with the United States. Nigeria’s lack of presence leaves it at a disadvantage, unable to capitalise on California’s $50-billion agricultural market.
The Nigerian diaspora in California faces practical challenges due to the absence of a local consulate. Like I stated earlier, obtaining passports, visas, or birth certificates requires travel to Atlanta or New York, a costly and time-consuming process. For example, a Nigerian student in San Francisco may have to cough out over $2000 on flights and accommodation to renew a passport, a task that could easily have been handled locally with a consulate. Entrepreneurs face similar issues, unable to quickly secure visas for California investors visiting Nigeria. These logistical barriers discourage business and tourism, weakening ties between the two regions. A consulate in Los Angeles or San Francisco could streamline these services, supporting the diaspora and fostering economic exchange.
I am aware that Nigeria a few days launched its online visa application for anyone wishing to visit Nigeria from the United States. There will be no need to visit the consulate or embassy for this service. Kudos to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who has tirelessly executed reforms in this area. A similar service should be extended for obtaining Nigerian travel passports as well abroad. The technology is available. There are secure data processing centres in the United States spread across cities where Nigerians can go and have their biometrics processed on behalf of the Nigerian government for a fee. The travel passports are then returned to applicants via secure mail carriers like UPS and FEDEX.
Some may argue Nigeria’s existing missions in Washington, DC, New York, and Atlanta suffice for United States relations. Washington handles high-level government talks, while New York engages with the United Nations and then there is Atlanta, Georgia. However, California’s economic and cultural weight sets it apart. No other state hosts such a concentration of technology, entertainment, and agriculture, nor matches California’s $4.103 trillion economy. Other nations, including, China, France, Germany, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Kingdom, Peru, Pakistan, Burma, Croatia and Mexico amongst several others, recognise this, maintaining consulates in Los Angeles or San Francisco to tap into these sectors. Nigeria’s focus on eastern United States missions overlooks California’s unique opportunities.
Budget constraints are a valid concern. Establishing a high commission or trade mission requires significant funding, including staff salaries, office space and security. Nigeria’s government, grappling with economic challenges like inflation and debt, may prioritise domestic needs over new diplomatic posts. Yet, the long-term benefits of a California presence could outweigh these costs. Increased trade with California, particularly in technology and agriculture, could boost Nigeria’s gross domestic product. For example, Nigeria’s trade with the United States reached $10.6 billion dollars in 2024, but California’s share remains small. A trade mission could double this figure within a decade, as seen with other African nations’ United States trade growth. Public-private partnerships, involving Nigeria’s diaspora and California’s business community, could offset initial costs, making the investment feasible.
The evidence is clear. California’s GDP, trade potential and cultural influence demand Nigeria’s attention. Other nations have recognised this, investing in consulates to access California’s markets and networks. Nigeria, with its ambitious goals for economic diversification, must follow suit. A diplomatic presence in California is not a luxury but a necessity, ensuring Nigeria’s place in a world driven by innovation and exchange. The time to act is now, before the gap widens further.
