The United States Secretary of State, Mr. Antony Blinken arrived at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday eveing for an official visit to President Bola Tinubu.
He is in Nigeria as part of his tour to West Africa.
Blinken had stopped over at Cape Verde and Côte d’Ivoire before arriving in Nigeria. He is expected to leave for Angola thereafter.
On hand to receive the US diplomat with President Tinubu were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, and other top government officials.
After meeting with the President, Blinken is scheduled to visit Lagos for bilateral talks.
Earlier, the spokesperson of the US Department of State, Mr. Matthew Miller, announced Blinken’s planned visit to Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Angola from 21st to 26th January.
Miller said that the visit is aimed at highlighting the progression of the United States’ relationship with the continent after the US–Africa leaders summit in 2022.
“Throughout the trip, the secretary will highlight how the United States has accelerated the U.S.-Africa partnership since the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, including in areas such as climate, food, and health security.
“He will also emphasize our future-focused economic partnership, and how the United States is investing in infrastructure in Africa to boost two-way trade, create jobs at home and on the continent, and help Africa compete in the global marketplace”, the spokesperson said.
According to Miller, the visit is also expected to foster the U.S. partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to address regional challenges and de-escalate tensions in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
During his visit to Cote d’Ivoire, the football-loving, French-speaking top US diplomat watched a critical match on Monday night in Abidjan between the hosts and Equatorial Guinea, joining Ivorien political top brass in a VIP box.
