US–Nigeria relations stronger after dispute — FG

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the recent diplomatic spat between Nigeria and the United States rather than strain relationship between the two countries, has strengthened their interface.

The Information Minister made the remarks on Monday at the end of the year press conference held in Abuja.

The Information Minister who expressed delight that the Bola Tinubu administration surmounted the diplomatic tension, revealed that both countries have since signed a business deal to further cement their relationship.

He said: “On the international stage, in 2025, we navigated complex international diplomacy with maturity and principle. The recent diplomatic spat with the United States has been resolved through firm, respectful engagement, culminating in a strengthened partnership.

“Just last week, the Federal Government of Nigeria signed a five-year, $5.1B bilateral health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of the United States – in which the US will provide $2.1B in grant funding, while Nigeria commits $3 billion. This has been described as the largest co-investment by any country to date under the America First Global Health Strategy. It will strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, save lives, and attract investment.

“Indeed, Nigeria is no longer on the sidelines; we are a confident and strategic partner on the global stage, defending our national interests and attracting beneficial partnerships. Just last month, we regained our Category C seat on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 biennium; a celebrated comeback following 14 years of absence.”

Shedding more light on landmark achievements on the global state, Honourable Idris told the gathering of senior journalists in the outgoing year, aside securing hosting rights for international events, individual Nigerians “assumed significant international positions across various sectors, including Chairperson of the Council of the World Customs Organisation, Executive Director of the World Health Organisation’s Health Emergencies Programme, Vice Chair of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council, and Vice President of the International Association for Ports and Harbours in Tokyo.

“Additionally, this year we secured hosting rights for the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) 2026, and the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2027, one of the largest trade gatherings on the African continent.

“In 2026, our newly appointed Ambassadors will take up their posts in their countries of assignment, strengthening our bilateral relations and advancing our visibility and strategic engagements in the global community.”

The Information Minister further assured Nigerians that the present administration was determined to rout bandits and insurgents in order to guarantee the security of lives and property of every citizen.

“In the area of security, 2025 saw the presidential declaration of a nationwide security emergency, that will in the months ahead translate into massive recruitment into the Armed Forces and Police Force, and the deployment of trained and equipped Forest Guards to secure our forests and other vulnerable locations.

“We have also established, in 2025, a new national counterterrorism doctrine—anchored on four critical pillars: unified command, intelligence, community stability, and counterinsurgency.

“Let me be clear about what this means: “That henceforth, any armed group that kidnaps our children, attacks our farmers, or terrorizes our communities is officially classified and will be dealt with as a terrorist organization. The era of ambiguous nomenclature is over!”

According to the Minister, the push to give financial backup to the new security architecture informed the highest allocation to Defence.

“The single biggest allocation of N5.41 trillion is to Defence and Security, a direct investment in protecting lives, property, and prosperity, through modern equipment for our armed forces, a new national intelligence architecture, and a secure digital border surveillance system.”

READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE