On Antony Blinken’s Visit To Nigeria

THE significance of the state visit, penultimate Tuesday, ( precisely January 23) of the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken to Nigeria cannot be underrated against the backdrop of existing relationship between the two countries on the one hand; and the locked- in potential of the meeting with Nigerian officials. Blinken arrived at Nigeria’s Presidential Villa, Abuja, for an official visit to President Bola Tinubu. His visit was part of his tour to the West African sub- region. Secretary Blinken had earlier visited Cote d’ivoire and Cape Verde before arriving in Nigeria.

Foreign ministers visits are always related to the pursuits of their respective national interests. It is a historical fact that Nigeria has had long bilateral relations with the US since the government of Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa in the 1960s against a background of cooperation with Britain in installing a moderate post- colonial government in Nigeria.

Secretary Blinken’s visit to Nigeria was to promote relations with Nigeria in food security, investment in the economy and security cooperation. Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, and Secretary Blinken would further elaborate on this. According to Tuggar, “several issues were discussed of a bilateral nature, as well as multilateral nature. They ranged from food security to agriculture to pharmaceuticals to security itself here in the region.”

Other issues that featured in the bilateral dialogue were Nigeria’s membership and participation in the G20 and the United Nations Security Council. The case was made more compelling based on the fact that Nigeria is the most populous nation on the African continent with largest economy. In the light of President Tinubu’s 4- D foreign policy agenda woven around democracy, development, demography, and diaspora, Nigeria restated its demand for representation in those multilateral organisations. Secretary Blinken underscored US support for some of the policy thrusts. He noted that Nigeria was indeed Africa’s largest country, largest economy, largest democracy, and that cooperation was being fostered in that direction and driving climate action, as partners in the Global Methane coalition. Besides, he said that the US was inclined towards pushing for permanent representation for African voices at the UN Security Council, in other international organizations that need to reflect present- day realities beyond the exclusive foundational principles of yester- years.

One issue that received focused attention, which is the latent function of the diplomatic shuttle, is the issue of corruption and repatriation of capital. Blinken made it known that: “American entrepreneurs, American companies are eager to partner with and invest in Nigeria’s economy, particularly in the tech sector. We have tech giants that are teamed up with Nigerian partners to help meet President Tinubu’s one- million- digital- jobs initiative. Other companies are hard at work laying undersea cables, using satellite technology to expand access to the internet. Our tech incubators are fostering Nigeria’s next start- ups. Our venture capital companies are working to finance them.”

In spite of these bountiful opportunities, Blinken stressed the need to combat corruption and remove the constraints to capital repatriation. As he put it, “I think it’s no secret that there remain some long- term challenges that need to be overcome to really unlock the full potential – tackling corruption, making it easier for foreign companies to repatriate capital. These will all pull in a transformative direction and pull in transformative investment.”

Equally of interest is Blinken’s mention of assistance to Nigeria under the U. S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief ( PEPFAR). According him, the US has spent over the last 20 years $ 8.3 billion in HIV and tuberculosis prevention, care, and treatment, and in strengthening the public health system for the benefits of millions of Nigerians. Even though there is an affirmation of continuation of efforts in this regard, are there proof that this assistance is making impact and is being used diligently for the intended purpose? This question ties in the ubiquitous matter of corruption.

If the content of the visit is scutinised from the lens of ravaging corruption and the pillaging of the commonwealth by state elites, those noble objectives of capitalist economic relations will be hard to achieve. So much work is required on the side of the Nigerian government to fight corruption and lead by example by cutting the cost of governance. For emphasis, capital is the most sensitive thing in the world; it will only head in direction of safe havens, not uncertain and risky environment like ours. American companies’ interest in investing in Nigeria’s economy can only be buoyed by bold step in the direction of ensuring corruption- free environment with security of lives and property safely established. An inclusive democratic society without the constraints of promordialism will be of value. Human security and respect for human rights are important pillars in this regard. Blinken’s visit signalled us interest to help in thisregard.

It is to be noted that some of the concerns raised in this visit would be on the table again in the forthcoming bilateral commission meeting between the two countries sometime in March this year. Nevertheless, it is hoped that Nigeria will make bold move to put its house in order if it is to benefit from the mercurial transnational capital.