The Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to deepening bilateral relations with the United States as part of its foreign policy agenda under President Bola Tinubu. This was emphasized by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, during the 248th U.S. Independence Anniversary Dinner organized by the U.S. Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday.
Ambassador Tuggar, represented by Ambassador Janet Olisa, Director of Regions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted that enhancing Nigeria-U.S. ties will solidify the longstanding cooperation and friendship between the two nations. He pointed out that signing the Nigeria-U.S. Binational Cooperation agreement is a significant foreign policy objective for the Tinubu administration.
“Our bilateral relations have been nurtured over the years with various forms of cooperation that have strengthened our ties,” Tuggar stated. “Since our independence, we have closely monitored and fostered our friendship and cooperation.”
He noted that the Binational Cooperation agreement, signed earlier this year, underscores the importance and cordiality of the Nigeria-U.S. relationship. He also mentioned that the visit by the U.S. Secretary of State and the swift follow-up by the newly confirmed Deputy Secretary of State exemplify the strong commitment to ensuring successful bilateral engagements.
“We are working on additional agreements and collaborations to further strengthen our ties, particularly in the area of security, which is crucial for Nigeria and the African continent as a whole. We are grateful for the security cooperation we have received,” Tuggar added.
The minister also expressed Nigeria’s appreciation for U.S. support in addressing health sector challenges, particularly in the fight against HIV/AIDS. He welcomed the incoming U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, expressing confidence that he would have a productive tenure in the country.
In his remarks, Ambassador Mills emphasized the shared commitment to democracy and freedom between Nigeria and the U.S., as articulated in the U.S. Declaration of Independence. He expressed his eagerness to strengthen ties between the two nations during his tenure as the 22nd U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria.
Ambassador David Greene, the U.S. Embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission and Charge d’Affairs, described Nigeria-U.S. relations as a “whirlwind in the best way.” He highlighted that there are 700,000 Nigerians living and working in the U.S., underscoring the significance of the people-to-people connections that form the foundation of the bilateral relationship.
“Our bond has always been strong. But lately, it feels like we’re really sprinting forward together to make Nigerians and Americans more secure, healthier, and more prosperous,” Greene said.
The anniversary dinner was attended by senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives from various sectors including business, politics, religion, media, and civil society, reflecting the broad-based support for strong Nigeria-U.S. relations.
