The meeting, which Atiku personally announced on his official X account, centered on reinforcing the longstanding bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the United States, with a strong emphasis on key pillars of democracy, security, and mutual economic prosperity.

“This afternoon, I had the honor of leading a delegation on a courtesy visit to the United States Ambassador, Richard M. Mills Jr., in Abuja,” Atiku wrote in the post, accompanied by photographs capturing the warm exchange. 

“Our discussion focused on strengthening the enduring partnership between Nigeria and the United States, particularly in the areas of advancing democracy, security, and promoting shared prosperity.” 

The images showed Atiku and Ambassador Mills engaged in animated conversation, flanked by members of the delegation, highlighting the cordial atmosphere of the engagement.

The visit arrives amid Atiku’s sharpened critiques of the current administration under President Bola Tinubu, whom he has accused of exacerbating nationwide challenges like hunger, poverty, and insecurity. 

Just days earlier, Atiku hosted a series of meetings with prominent political figures, including a courtesy call on former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, signaling his active role in opposition networking ahead of the 2027 elections. 

In recent statements, he has stressed that any government reforms must center on citizen welfare, declaring, “Whatever reform the Tinubu government might claim to be undertaking, the point remains that food insecurity is a daily occurrence nationwide.”

Ambassador Mills, a seasoned diplomat who assumed his role in Nigeria in July 2024 after serving as U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, has been instrumental in deepening U.S.-Nigeria collaboration on defense and counterterrorism.