No nation can survive in isolation; international relations are indispensable for accessing rare minerals and advancing technological development. Nigeria, endowed with abundant natural resources, occupies a pivotal position in West African trade dynamics. Africa collectively holds 30% of global mineral reserves, including 92% of the world’s platinum, 71% of cobalt, 60% of chromium, and 50% of diamond reserves. These resources solidify Africa’s status as a global reserve hub, with West Africa contributing significantly through bauxite, aluminum, and Nigeria’s dominance in hydrocarbons. As Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria also holds vast reserves of natural gas, coal, and critical minerals like lithium. However, translating these resources into sustained economic growth requires robust regional integration frameworks, which remain hindered by infrastructural deficits, political instability, and bureaucratic inefficiencies.