The bilateral relationship between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United States of America began in 1960, when Nigeria gained independence from the United Kingdom. This article explores the historical and systemic analysis of the relationship between the two countries, highlighting the political, economic, and social issues that have shaped their interactions.
Early Relations and Cold War Dynamics
Formal diplomatic relations were established on October 1, 1960, with the opening of the American Embassy in Lagos and the Nigerian Embassy in Washington. Despite the USA being unequivocally against colonialism, Washington advocated for a cautionary measure in British ‘hasty’ grant of self-governance to Nigeria.
During the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), the United States announced that it would not sell or supply arms to either side, "in order not to deepen the conflict". The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was a major ally of Nigeria and supplied the country with arms and ammunition.
Efforts at ensuring that communism did not spread to Nigeria included the American assistance to Nigeria in terms of granting aid under the Economic Co-operation Administration and/or the Mutual Security Administration Programme. During the period 1948 to 1952, about $170,000 was given to Nigeria for road development.
The 1970s: Improved Relations
Relations improved considerably in the mid-1970s, both because of the foreign policy initiatives of Jimmy Carter's administration and because of the increased importance of Nigerian oil for the United States in the aftermath of the 1973 OPEC crisis. President Jimmy Carter and General Obasanjo in Lagos, April 1978.
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General Olusegun Obasanjo visited the White House in Washington D.C. in October 1977 and on April 1978, President Jimmy Carter visited Nigeria as the first sitting U.S President to make a state visit to Nigeria. Bilateral diplomatic relations rapidly improved, and the heads of state exchanged official visits.
Challenges in the 1980s and 1990s
In the 1980s, ongoing trade and investment links were accompanied by simmering diplomatic tensions over the Nigerian government's failure to curb cross-border crime and drug trafficking, and over increased reports of human rights abuses inside Nigeria. In August 1985, another coup occurred in which Buhari’s administration was ousted and Major General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) became the Head of State.
Although the United States had rarely objected to Nigerian military rule in the past, its tolerance expired under the regime of General Sani Abacha, who took power during a 1993 military coup d'état. For the next five years, Nigeria faced escalating sanctions and the near dissolution of diplomatic relations. The US responded with a series of sanctions on Nigeria. Not only did US suspend all military and technical assistance to Nigeria, senior Nigerian government officials were banned from travelling to the US.
Return to Democracy and Renewed Cooperation
President Bill Clinton was quick to welcome Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999. Under Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, trade and aid links intensified, and the relationship between the countries regained its erstwhile warmth. President Clinton visited Nigeria shortly afterwards - the first visit by an American president since Carter's in 1979, when, coincidentally, Obasanjo had also been the head of the state, though then not democratically elected.
One of the first steps the new President of Nigeria took was to embark on an extensive official tour of some strategic countries of the world, most especially the United States of America. President Bill Clinton himself visited Nigeria and was warmly received. Little wonder therefore that the long road from the Abuja metropolis to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is named after Bill Clinton.
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In the year 2000, Nigeria’s export to the US was worth US $7.9 billion while import amounted to $514.5 million worth of goods indicating a favourable trade balance of US $7.42 billion The other high point is reflected in Nigeria-US economic ties.
21st Century Relations
Bilateral relations are increasingly centered around military, security, and counterterrorism cooperation in West Africa, particularly multilateral initiatives in the Gulf of Guinea and on ISIS and Boko Haram. Since the early 2010s, counter-terrorism cooperation has focused on cooperation against the Nigerian-grown Boko Haram insurgency in West Africa, especially in the aftermath of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping.
Nigeria is engaged in intensive efforts to defeat terrorist organizations within its borders, including Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa (ISIS-WA). The United States has $590 million in active government-to-government sales cases with Nigeria under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system. Recent and significant sales include the 2017 sale of 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft worth $497 million to support Nigerian military operations against Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa.
The most recent BNC was held on February 3, 2020, in Washington D.C. Nigeria and the United States are both members of the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Trade Organization, and a number of other international organizations.
Nigeria plays a major role in peacekeeping, conflict management, and mediation on the African Continent, especially in West Africa and Darfur, and its engagement in international peacekeeping is essential. Nigeria cannot be safe if the rest of the continent is neither safe nor secure; Nigeria cannot prosper if the rest of the continent does not prosper, the Minister said.
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Nigeria and the US need to speak the language of partnership rather than of paternalism. The new administration has the capacity to engage on those terms and Nigeria is ready for it, Minister Maduekwe said. The continent is no longer a hungry man waiting to be fed. Africa is ready to work, and to move from a relationship of aid or charity to one of partnership.
Nigeria facing 'multiplicity of security challenges': Communal clashes, separatists, insurgencies
Economic Ties
Emerging from an earlier tradition of bilateral oil diplomacy, both countries have diversified their oil trades over the last decade, but the United States remains a major market for Nigerian exports, almost entirely in crude oil. The United States is also the primary foreign investor in Nigeria and a significant source of foreign aid.
The United States is helping Nigeria make exceptional efforts to develop inclusive, transparent, and effective institutions of democratic governance. Nigeria is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The United States and Nigeria have signed a bilateral trade and investment framework agreement.
Nigeria is the largest economy and most populous country in Africa, with an estimated population of over 230 million, which is expected to approach 400 million by 2050 as Nigeria becomes the world’s fourth most populous country. Nigeria had an estimated gross domestic product of 477 billion USD in 2022. Although Nigeria’s economy has become more diversified, crude oil sales have continued to be the main source of export earnings.
Trade Between Nigeria and the US
Here's a table summarizing the trade dynamics between Nigeria and the US:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Exports to Nigeria | Wheat, vehicles, machinery, oil, and plastic |
| Imports from Nigeria | Cocoa, rubber, returns, antiques, and food waste |
| Investment | Foreign direct investment concentrated largely in the petroleum/mining and wholesale trade sectors |
People-to-People Connections
Over a million Nigerians and Nigerian Americans live, study, and work in the United States. While over 25,000 Americans live, and work in Nigeria. There are many Nigerian Diaspora organizations in the United States that help the political and economic empowerment of the people of Nigerian descent outside of Nigeria. Complementing these formal economic links are a large volume of family remittances from the United States's large Nigerian American population.
Recent polls show that Nigeria is a consistently pro-American country. Nigeria maintains an embassy in Washington D.C. maintains an embassy in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, and a consulate general in Lagos.
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