The Vice President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris, has backed President Tinubu’s efforts to reform Nigeria’s economy, including ending the fuel subsidy regime and unifying foreign currency exchange rates.
She also reiterated her commitment to defending democracy.
The US vice president stated this while speaking with President Bola Tinubu on the phone Thursday evening.
Tinubu and Harris’s phone conversation is the highest degree of interaction between the American government and the Nigerian leader since the inauguration on May 29.
Tinubu and Harris discussed the two countries’ common commitment to protecting democracy in West Africa and the Sahel.
The two leaders also expressed their grave concerns about the recent development in the Niger Republic.
The transcript of the conversation between Tinubu and Harris was posted late on Thursday on the US government’s official website.
It reads, “Vice President Kamala Harris spoke today with President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, the highest-level U.S. engagement with President Tinubu since his May 2023 inauguration.
“The Vice President recognised Nigeria as a leading global voice and Africa’s largest democracy and economy. The Vice President and President Tinubu underscored their shared commitment to defending democracy in West Africa and the Sahel and deep concern about the attempted takeover in Niger.
“The Vice President strongly condemned any efforts to seize power by force in Niger and emphasized that our substantial cooperation with the Government of Niger is contingent on Niger’s continued commitment to democratic standards.
The Vice President expressed support for President Tinubu’s steps to reform Nigeria’s economy, including ending the fuel subsidy and unifying foreign currency exchange rates.
“Building on the investments announced during the Vice President’s trip to Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia earlier this year—including more than $8 billion in private sector commitments and $1 billion in U.S. government commitments—the Vice President and President Tinubu discussed how U.S. and Nigerian public and private sectors can work together to increase private sector investment, digital inclusion, women’s empowerment, and expand access to clean energy.
“The Vice President underscored the U.S. government’s long-standing support for Nigeria’s democracy and good governance, including the government’s responsibility to ensure that security services act to serve the people they are mandated to protect.
The Vice President highlighted the deep ties between the United States and Nigeria, including people-to-people connections and the Diaspora.”