On Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden engaged in a detailed phone conversation with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, addressing key issues between the two nations.
This call was revealed by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, who briefed State House correspondents on the conversation. Tuggar stated that the phone call, which occurred around 4 p.m. Nigerian time, lasted approximately 30 minutes and covered various subjects pertinent to the bilateral relationship between the United States and Nigeria.
According to Ambassador Tuggar, one of the primary topics discussed was the recent release of Tigran Gambaryan, the Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance. This subject highlighted a mutual interest in enhancing collaboration between the two countries, particularly in areas concerning financial security and regulation within the digital currency sector.
Tuggar further emphasized that Tinubu expressed gratitude to President Biden for the ongoing partnership and collaboration, especially in areas related to security across Africa, with a specific focus on West African stability. Tinubu underscored Nigeria's appreciation for the support from the United States in combating security threats and strengthening regional stability.
In Tuggar’s words, “The call centered on the cooperation between both nations in terms of law enforcement and the operations of law enforcement agencies, as well as addressing the release of a key individual connected with a well-known cryptocurrency exchange.”
Furthermore, President Tinubu extended his appreciation to the U.S. for its partnership across multiple sectors, notably in addressing security issues that impact Africa and West Africa as a whole. President Biden responded affirmatively, assuring President Tinubu that the U.S. regards this collaboration as vital, recognizing that Africa plays an essential role in the future of global security and economic stability.
The leaders also discussed the possibility of a permanent seat for Africa on the United Nations Security Council. Biden conveyed the United States' commitment to supporting Africa’s inclusion in this global body, indicating that Nigeria could be a strong candidate for one of these seats. He reassured Tinubu that the U.S. endorses the idea of a permanent seat for Africa and sees no reason why Nigeria should not be a primary consideration for this position.