By Chukwudi Enekwechi
As it is commonly said that a new kid is on the block, Nigeria is presently witnessing a rejuvenated bilateral relations with the United States, and the reason is not far-fetched. Under the watch of His Excellency, Mr. Richard M. Mills Jnr, the United States Embassy in Nigeria is on a mission to redefine the diplomatic relations between both countries. Not that there was a thaw in the relations ab-initio but we are witnessing a positive upscale in the bilateral relations.
As it stands, the determination and hard work of Mr. Richard M. Mills Jnr. who continues to reach out, and open more frontiers of mutual cooperation is the magic wand.
Suffice it to reiterate that since the second term emergence of President Donald Trump in a landslide victory for a second term, the new United States administration is reworking the world order with a policy of achieving peace globally through strength. And since the Presidential pronouncement on this policy thrust US missions in various parts of the world have accelerated their diplomatic engagements with host countries towards achieving the Trump administration’s agenda.
Again “America First Policy” of the Trump administration is already reestablishing America’s preeminence in global affairs. Today America is regaining lost prestige and respect among the global community. So far the Trump administration has restored peace in the Middle East by brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Iran after the twelve day war.
Similarly the warring parties in Sudan have being brought to a negotiating table and an armistice negotiated at the behest of President Trump, which has led to a halt in the fratricidal war. The Sudanese war had raged since 2023 and remained intractable until recently. The truce can be ascribed to humanness of the US president who showed empathy on the loss of human lives in the war.
Even in the protracted Russia war in Ukraine, President Trump’s administration has not relented in seeking for a restoration of peace. So with Trump in power the world is witnessing an American administration that does not seek to impose its will on the world but is focused towards ensuring that we all have a more peaceful and harmonious world. Furthermore with the recent attendance of President Trump at the NATO summit at The Hague recently, he was able to strike a defense deal with the NATO member -countries. This deal which has followed decades-long calls by Trump for NATO allies to contribute to their shared security and this clarion call yielded the desired result with the member-countries committing to contribute 5% of their gross domestic product on defense. Definitely this will bolster the strategic position of NATO in world affairs, as well as reduce the disproportionate level of responsibility of the United States for security in Europe.
In 2017 when President Trump first entered into office, only three NATO members were paying 2% of their Gross Domestic Product on defense, but with more prodding from Trump, more European allies are now committed to their obligations to the body.
Narrowing it down to Nigeria-US bilateral relations it is important to recall that through the instrumentality of USAID and other agencies, the United States has been benevolent, and magnanimous in assisting Nigeria with several life-saving aids and funds. These interventions have no doubt impacted positively on many Nigerian families over the years.
It can be stated without equivocation that the United States has played a pivotal role in the development of Nigeria, and the tenure of Mr. Richard M. Mills as the Ambassador is unfolding as the hallmark of diplomacy. The bottom-line is that both countries are focused on accentuating the policy of reciprocity in international relations hence both countries have continued to enjoy mutual beneficial relations.
In the area of bilateral trade between both countries it is gratifying that the balance of trade rose to about $13billion in 2024 from a deficit of $3.38billion in 2023 for the United States and going forward the expectation is that this will continue to be on the growth trajectory.
Perhaps one area that the US mission can reevaluate in its diplomatic relations with Nigeria is the issuance of visas. Whereas Nigeria has announced waivers for visitors who overstayed the US should also be magnanimous in this regard and even go a step further to extend the duration of stay for Nigerian travellers. For many years Nigeria and the US have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship and this ought to be sustained. It can also be recalled that so many Nigerians have benefitted from different educational scholarship schemes by American universities. This also should be sustained for the good of our people. There is no doubt that thousands of Nigerians are studying, working and living in the US. They are also contributing their quota in different areas of human endeavour towards the progress of America. They are engaged in nursing, medicine generally, teaching and several other professions. Therefore the policy of reciprocity should be considered in the US relations with Nigeria.
Furthermore, while the tariff regime being implemented under the current Trump administration cannot be described as punitive, still many countries especially developing countries like Nigeria are advocating for tariffs that can help bolster their economy in order not to slide into recession. In the realisation of President Trump’s foreign policy of “peace through strength” he has brought peace between Pakistan and India by averting an imminent war. He also brokered peace between Rwanda and Congo. President Trump has also being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by the Israeli Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as the Pakistani government.
• Enekwechi, an Abuja-based journalist and chairman, Tinubu Media Volunteers, writes via Kwechis19@yahoo.com
The post As Mills rejigs US/Nigeria diplomatic relations appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
