The Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris spoke with President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria on Friday.
Harris disclosed this in a tweet via her official Twitter handle @VP.
She said that the conversation centred on the strong ties between the Nigerian and American people and the nations’ shared work on global and regional issues.
“Today, I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria about the strong ties between the Nigerian and American people and our shared work on global and regional issues—from defending democracy in West Africa and the Sahel to promoting digital inclusion and economic growth,” VP Harris tweeted.
In a statement, Special Adviser to the Nigerian President on Special Duties, Communication & Strategy, Dele Alake confirmed the telephone conversation between President Tinubu and Vice-President Harris.
He said that during the telephone conversation, which was at the instance of the US authorities, VP Harris praised the reform initiatives of the Federal Government, urging the country to continue in that direction.
The presidential statement said VP Harris pledged the American government’s support for democracy in Africa including the West African sub region, while offering assistance to Nigeria in the battle against terrorism.
Alake said the US Vice President spoke on the need for Africa, including Nigeria to embrace energy transitions.
He said President Tinubu thanked Harris for the telephone call and her words of encouragement on the efforts taken so far on the economy, but added that “the developments in Niger Republic dampen spirits.”
President Tinubu was quoted as saying ECOWAS under his watch would do all that is necessary to restore democracy in Niger, while counting on the support of the US.
On Nigeria, President Tinubu was said to have craved more private-sector investment, urging the US to lead the way in this regard.
“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,” President said.
On climate change, the President said Nigeria would stay focused on the alternate energy but he pleaded for the developed nations to understand the situation in developing countries including Africa.
Alake said the two leaders also spoke on strengthening relations between their two countries and on their shared work on global and regional issues.
“Other matters that featured in the discussions that lasted about 40 minutes are defending democracy in West Africa and The Sahel and digital inclusion,” the statement further read.
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