Following a recent meeting between United States Vice President Kamala Harris and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, details of their discussions have been made public.
In a statement released by the presidential spokesman, Dele Alake, President Tinubu highlighted the strong ties between the Nigerian and American people during his conversation with Harris.
The two leaders delved into the collaborative efforts of their nations on global and regional issues, which encompassed defending democracy in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as promoting digital inclusion and fostering economic growth.
A significant revelation from the statement was the United States government’s support for the fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria, as it views this step as crucial in reforming the nation’s economy.
Vice President Harris provided assurance of her country’s commitment to enhancing private sector investment, digital inclusion, women’s empowerment, and access to clean energy in Nigeria.
Moreover, Harris reaffirmed the enduring support of the US government for Nigeria’s democracy and good governance, stressing the importance of governments ensuring that their security services act in the best interest of the people they are mandated to protect.
She also expressed her condemnation of the coup in Niger and underscored the conditional engagement of the United States with the unstable West African country, contingent upon its adherence to democratic standards.
Addressing a broader concern, the US Vice President emphasized the need for Africa, including Nigeria, to embrace energy transitions in response to the global challenge of climate change.
In response to Harris’s call, President Tinubu expressed his gratitude for the telephone conversation and the words of encouragement regarding Nigeria’s economic efforts.
However, he acknowledged that recent developments in Niger Republic have dampened spirits.
President Tinubu affirmed that under his leadership, ECOWAS would take all necessary measures to restore democracy in Niger, while also seeking the support of the United States in this endeavor.
On another note, Tinubu conveyed his desire for increased private sector investment in Nigeria and urged the United States to lead the way in this regard, recognizing the potential benefits for both countries.
He said: “We had to get rid of the fuel subsidy that is laden with fraud with a few people appropriating the wealth of the country to themselves.
“We would need the US to help push for investments that will help alleviate the effects of subsidy removal in Nigeria.
We need foreign direct investment to come in.“We have abundant gas resources in the country and not been able to fund gas pipelines to Europe and compete in that gas market is a handicap.”
Regarding climate change, President Tinubu emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to focusing on alternative energy sources.
However, he earnestly pleaded with developed nations to better understand the unique challenges faced by developing countries, including those in Africa.
In addition to climate change, the two leaders engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening relations between Nigeria and the US.
They also exchanged views on their joint efforts in addressing global and regional issues.
During the approximately 40-minute meeting, other significant matters that featured in the discussions were the defense of democracy in West Africa and the Sahel region, along with initiatives related to digital inclusion.
