Blinken engages Nigeria’s top government officials, beginning with Buhari, Osinbajo, and foreign affairs minister, Geoffrey Onyeama
President Muhammadu Buhari has received United States of America Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken in Aso Villa, Nigeria’s seat of power.
Blinken flew into Nigeria from Kenya on a tour of some African countries. The visit is expected to renew Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements with the U.S. after a lull in that regard, especially during the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Trump administration’s foreign policy appears not to have regard for African countries. He was quoted to have described the region as a shit hole.
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But the administration of Joe Biden seems to want a stronger partnership with African countries, a possible reason Secretary of State, Blinken, arrived on the continent to tour some countries.
Blinken arrived at the Aso Rock Villa around 3:47 pm and was received at the forecourt by State Chief of Protocol (SCOP), Ambassador Lawal Kazaure, who led him to the President’s office where the two men are expected to hold a meeting on Nigeria and U.S. interest.
After the meeting with Buhari, the Secretary of State will proceed to the office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo where they will sign some agreements between Nigeria and the US.
He will thereafter hold a joint press conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, before departing the Presidential Villa.