WASHINGTON D.C, USA — President Joseph Biden has signaled his administration’s commitment to further strengthening US-Nigeria ties with the announcement of a delegation set to attend the inauguration of incoming Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023.
Marcia L. Fudge, Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, has been named to lead the delegation, which international observers note as a significant nod to the bilateral relations between the two countries.
“Nigeria is a key partner in our efforts to promote peace and prosperity in Africa. This delegation reflects the United States’ strong relationship with Nigeria, and our commitment to work together on pressing global issues,” Fudge said in a statement on Monday, May 22, 2023.
Other members of the delegation include David Greene, the Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., U.S. Embassy Abuja; Sydney Kamlager-Dove, United States Representative (D) from California; Marisa Lago, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade; General Michael E. Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command; Enoh T. Ebong, Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency; and Mary Catherine Phee, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs.
“Our role in this delegation is not just to represent the United States, but to continue to build upon our mutual interests with Nigeria, and affirm our ongoing commitment to the country,” commented Representative Kamlager-Dove.
The assembly of this delegation underscores the importance the Biden administration places on the relationship with Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest and most populous economies.
It also signifies the administration’s commitment to global diplomacy, as evidenced by the broad representation across multiple sectors of the U.S. government.
“U.S.-Nigeria relations are founded on shared values and aspirations, and we anticipate this inauguration to reinforce the strength of these ties,” said Mary Catherine Phee, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs.
The Biden administration’s recognition of President-elect Tinubu’s impending inauguration is expected to serve as a platform for enhanced engagement and cooperation in the coming years, with bilateral issues such as trade, security, and democratic governance set to take the forefront of discussions.
