Ballout, a former Senator of Maryland County, was recently nominated by President Joseph Boakai to serve as Liberia’s Ambassador to Nigeria.
Monrovia, Liberia – The Ambassador-Designate to Nigeria, John Ballout, has pledged to prioritize economic diplomacy to attract investment and partnerships for Liberia’s oil and gas sector and other key industries across the region.
By Obediah Johnson
Speaking before the Liberian Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs during his confirmation hearing on Monday, July 7, Ballout outlined a vision anchored in regional cooperation, trade, human capacity development, and cultural diplomacy.
He vowed to actively engage key players in the oil and gas sector — particularly in Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea, two of Africa’s top energy-producing nations — to ensure Liberia benefits more significantly from intra-African economic relations.
Ballout, a former Senator of Maryland County, was recently nominated by President Joseph Boakai to serve as Liberia’s Ambassador to Nigeria. His diplomatic jurisdiction will also extend to Benin, Equatorial Guinea, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“It is prudent to go beyond political ties to reap economic and investment opportunities for Liberia and its citizens,” Ballout told the Senate panel. “If our resources stay in the region, I think we will get richer as a region.”
He emphasized the need to reduce Liberia’s dependence on investments from Europe, Asia, and the Americas by fostering economic ties with African counterparts. He also disclosed that several Nigerian investors have already shown interest in exploring business opportunities in Liberia.
Ballout said his diplomatic priorities will include collaboration on oil and gas development, enhanced trade relations, tackling illicit drug trafficking, and creating cultural and creative industry exchanges between Liberia and its host countries.
On the security front, he committed to working closely with Nigerian authorities to curb drug trafficking and cross-border criminal activities. “We need support from the National Legislature to take the fight against drug trafficking and abuse to another level,” he stated.
In addition to economic and security cooperation, Ballout highlighted his intention to boost Liberia’s creative industry. As current Chair of the Board of the Liberia Movie Union, he said he hopes to use his ambassadorial platform to connect young Liberian creatives with their Nigerian counterparts, particularly in Nollywood, one of the largest film industries in the world.
“If we can get more engaged strategically with Nigeria, we will significantly improve our socioeconomic conditions in this country,” Ballout said. “With the right partnership and focus on economic diplomacy, I think we can achieve.”
He described Nigeria as a “pivotal, long-time ally” of Liberia, recalling the country’s contributions during Liberia’s 14-year civil conflict, including peacekeeping troops and post-war recovery support.
Ballout then pledged to serve with “humility, integrity, and dedication,” vowing to uphold Liberia’s foreign policy objectives and always act in the best interest of the country and its citizens.
