US, Nigeria Strengthen Ties To Fight Terrorism, Boost Trade

The United States and Nigeria have deepened both countries’ collaboration to fight the scourge of terrorism in Nigeria and in neighbouring countries troubled by the menace.

This was the crux of discussion at the just concluded two-day 6th edition of the US- Nigeria Binational Commission (BNC) in Abuja on Tuesday, where both countries also made commitments to increase bilateral trade, invest in energy, agriculture and technology including Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, told a news conference during the closing ceremony that the country has made significant progress in degrading the Boko Haram terrorists in the northern part of Nigeria.

He said, “You are all aware of the progress that we have made in north eastern Nigeria in degrading Boko Haram to the point that now, one of our major challenges is sorting out who is a combatant and who is not.”

Tuggar said although there is challenge of banditry, which is a fallout of the Boko Haram terrorists’ activities, the Nigerian government is containing the menace, adding that with the US support, the matter will be brought to an end.

The minister also emphasised the need for economic development, stressing that the government of President Bola Tinubu is focused on offering employment to the people of Nigeria.

He said, “We are focusing on the use of technology to create jobs and to educate the youth”.

The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, told the conference that the BNC was fruitful.

He said, “Energy is a huge part of our relationship, agriculture has enormous potential. We will work much more closely on technology and expand the volume of trade and build people – to-people commercial and technological links between our two countries.

“We will step up our efforts in security because the security challenges do not reside in Nigeria, they are regional and global and we are containing them as well. Nigeria is a natural partner and indeed, we have ambition to step up our engagement in this arena not just with respect to local areas but the regional ones as well.”

He said further that the US has partnered with Nigeria and other countries on the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) programme, which is a model on how the US can partner with key countries not just in Africa, but across the world in dealing with key challenges of health.