During his visit to Abuja, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a one-hour meeting with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discuss key issues related to the two allied nations.
During this bilateral meeting, the Nigerian president advocated for Nigeria’s international positions. In his straightforward style, Bola Ahmed Tinubu called for Nigeria to have a permanent seat in the G20 and the United Nations Security Council. He also defended Nigeria’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, urging a ceasefire and reiterating support for a two-state solution.
Antony Blinken acknowledged and commended Nigeria’s initiatives within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), particularly in working towards the restoration of constitutional order in Niger. The two leaders extensively discussed the security situation in West Africa, addressing both internal challenges within Nigeria, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin and the northwest of the country.
“The United States is determined to be and remain a strong partner for Nigeria,” assured Secretary of State Antony Blinken. This visit marked his third official visit to Nigeria (and fourth in Africa), emphasizing his delight in being in a land of “opportunities for American investors.”
Antony Blinken is scheduled to meet with Nigerian digital companies valued at over a billion dollars, commonly referred to as “unicorns,” in Lagos today, January 24th.