• Main News
  • About Us
  • Contact
Premium Times Opinion
Sunday, January 29, 2023
  • Home
  • Democracy and Governance
    • Bámidélé Upfront
    • Jibrin Ibrahim
    • Okey Ndibe
  • Economy
    • Ifeanyi Uddin
  • Issues of the Day
    • Adeolu Ademoyo
    • Aribisala on Tuesday
    • Dele Agekameh
    • Pius Adesanmi
  • Politics
    • Ebeneezer Obadare
    • Femi Fani-Kayode
    • Garba Shehu
    • Hannatu Musawa
    • Zainab Suleiman Okino
  • Guest Columns
  • Faith
    • Article of Faith
    • Sunday Ogidigbo
    • Friday Sermon
    • Elevated Sight
  • Home
  • Democracy and Governance
    • Bámidélé Upfront
    • Jibrin Ibrahim
    • Okey Ndibe
  • Economy
    • Ifeanyi Uddin
  • Issues of the Day
    • Adeolu Ademoyo
    • Aribisala on Tuesday
    • Dele Agekameh
    • Pius Adesanmi
  • Politics
    • Ebeneezer Obadare
    • Femi Fani-Kayode
    • Garba Shehu
    • Hannatu Musawa
    • Zainab Suleiman Okino
  • Guest Columns
  • Faith
    • Article of Faith
    • Sunday Ogidigbo
    • Friday Sermon
    • Elevated Sight
No Result
View All Result
Premium Times Opinion

U.S.-Nigeria Relations and the 2016 American Elections, By F. John Bray

by Premium Times
October 17, 2016
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0

john-bray-us-consul-general-lagos

As Nigerians keep their eyes on the U.S. presidential debates and follow closely the outcome of the elections, it should be clear that Nigeria remains an important partner of the United States on the African continent and that our commitment to engage with the people and Government of Nigeria will remain strong, going forward.


The United States has held one presidential election during the four years I have worked in Nigeria and I was struck then by Nigerians’ keen interest in and detailed knowledge of the election. It’s no different this time, as Nigerians hold strong opinions about the suitability of the Democratic and Republican candidates and their chances of winning, while speculating like other global citizens about what the results portend for U.S. foreign policy in general and the longstanding relationship between America and Nigeria in particular.

As the world’s oldest uninterrupted democracy, the United States is a torchbearer of democratic values – life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, justice, equality and the will of the people. We know the conduct and results of the presidential elections affect perceptions of the United States, at least as much as other news from America. In addition, observers view the highly anticipated and widely televised presidential debates as an early indicator of each candidate’s approach to global leadership, and how they propose to manage America’s relationship with the rest of the world.

We should all remember that while the rules and results determine who gets into the White House, successful implementation of a president’s domestic and foreign policies is not so simple.

In forming U.S. foreign policy, the president relies on input from all three branches of government – especially Congress as the legislative branch – and an array of executive agencies, including the National Security Council as the coordinating body of the executive branch. Americans historically like divided government – either with divided party control of the two houses of Congress, or with different parties in charge of Congress compared to the White House. But even under one party, which rarely happens, U.S. foreign policy cannot be formed on a whim. Under the U.S. Constitution, both the legislative and executive branches have great power to shape foreign policy as they interact with each other. And Congress jealously guards its share of power.

So what does this mean for U.S.-Nigeria relations? Relations between the United States and Nigeria have remained stable for well over a decade, with different U.S. presidents in office. The United States has consistently sought to work with Nigeria to improve the economic stability, security, and well-being of Nigerians by, in part, strengthening democratic institutions, improving transparency and accountability, and professionalising security forces.

I strongly believe that no matter who wins the 2016 presidential elections, the United States will continue its historically strong bilateral relations with Nigeria, which date back to independence in 1960. Through the U.S.-Nigeria Bi-National Commission, we continue to enjoy a close association and working partnership with Nigeria on a broad range of issues that include good governance and the promotion of the rule of law, regional security and respect for human rights, women’s empowerment, education, healthcare, and access to economic opportunity for Nigeria’s youth, and countering the menace of violent extremism.

Despite a number of challenges faced by American investors, such as inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure, a daunting array of institutions and regulations, uncertainty in information on market conditions and taxation, and episodes of regionalised instability, Nigeria continues to be a very rewarding market for many U.S. companies.


Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, and a significant trading partner with the United States. The visit of U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker to Nigeria twice within 20 months (May 2014 and January 2016) underscores how important robust economic ties are for the bilateral relationship, and the continent.

Nigeria is also the largest destination in sub-Saharan Africa for U.S. private investment, estimated at some U.S. $8 billion in 2012. Bilateral trade between Nigeria and the United States exceeded $9 billion in 2014. There is significant potential for even greater two-way commerce in a wide range of industrial sectors.

Despite a number of challenges faced by American investors, such as inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure, a daunting array of institutions and regulations, uncertainty in information on market conditions and taxation, and episodes of regionalised instability, Nigeria continues to be a very rewarding market for many U.S. companies.

Nigeria continues to be a focus country for President Obama’s “Power Africa” initiative, which aims to double the number of sub-Saharan African households and benefit African businesses with greater access to more reliable electricity. The United States strongly welcomes the Nigerian government’s efforts to reform its power sector, including measures to privatise power generation and distribution companies and remove bottlenecks to improve the policy environment for bringing stable electricity to Nigeria’s citizens.

The United States continues to stand with Nigeria in the effort to counter the menace of Boko Haram, including with security and humanitarian assistance. We continue to work with Nigeria and its neighbours in the regional effort to degrade Boko Haram’s operations, financing, and cohesion and to lessen the widespread suffering of civilians affected by Boko Haram.

On November 8, 2016, U.S. voters will choose thousands of federal, state and local officials—including a new president. They’ll do it peacefully. Winners will celebrate and losers will concede graciously and plan for the next election. As Nigerians keep their eyes on the U.S. presidential debates and follow closely the outcome of the elections, it should be clear that Nigeria remains an important partner of the United States on the African continent and that our commitment to engage with the people and Government of Nigeria will remain strong, going forward.

F. John Bray is the United States Consul General in Lagos, Nigeria.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • Pocket
  • Share on Tumblr

Related

Previous Post

Aisha and Muhammadu Buhari: Discerning the Politics of the Message, By Jibrin Ibrahim

Next Post

Towards a Better Waste Management Regime In Lagos, By Adebayo Samuel

Related Posts

Zamfara Gold As Commonwealth, By Zailani Bappa
Opinion

Sheikh Gumi, Governor Matawalle and the Sands of Time, By Zailani Bappa

February 2, 2021
June 12 As Democracy Day Needs To Be Reconsidered, By Bashir Tofa
Opinion

The Need To Act Now To Stop the Ethnic Conflagration!, By Bashir Othman Tofa

February 2, 2021
Kofi Annan: In Service of the World, By Ejeviome Eloho Otobo & Oseloka H. Obaze
Opinion

Biden’s Likely Policy Orientation Toward Africa, By Ejeviome E. Otobo and Oseloka H. Obaze

February 2, 2021
Agenda for ‘Born Again’ JAMB and TETFUND, By Tunde Musibau Akanni
Opinion

Oyeweso, A Celebrated Historian, Ascends the Sixth Floor, By Tunde Akanni

February 2, 2021
Before Nigeria Burns, By Akin Fadeyi
Opinion

Is President Buhari Presiding Over the Last United Nigeria?, By Akin Fadeyi

February 2, 2021
On A Soyinka Prize In ‘Illiteracy’, By Biko Agozino
Opinion

Obasanjo: Only Those Who Did Not Do Well Went Into the Military, By Biko Agozino

February 1, 2021
Next Post
The Need for Safety In Lagos: Total Ban On Okada, By Ayo Oyoze Baje

Towards a Better Waste Management Regime In Lagos, By Adebayo Samuel

VAWIE: Halting Violence Against Women In Nigeria’s Electoral Process, By Armsfree Ajanaku

Prioritising Vaccine Access In A Season of Recession, By Armsfree Ajanaku

Editorial

  • EDITORIAL: The Urgency of Tackling Nigeria’s Second Wave of COVID-19

    EDITORIAL: The Urgency of Tackling Nigeria’s Second Wave of COVID-19

  • EDITORIAL: Unearthing the Cogent Lessons In the NESG-CBN Economic Policy Imbroglio

    EDITORIAL: Unearthing the Cogent Lessons In the NESG-CBN Economic Policy Imbroglio

  • EDITORIAL: COVID-19: Calling On Nigeria’s Billionaires and Religious Leaders To Step Up

    EDITORIAL: COVID-19: Calling On Nigeria’s Billionaires and Religious Leaders To Step Up

  • EDITORIAL: Bichi Must Go; Buhari Must Halt Slide Into Despotism

    EDITORIAL: Bichi Must Go; Buhari Must Halt Slide Into Despotism

  • EDITORIAL: The Flaws In Governor Emefiele’s Five-Year Plan For Central Bank of Nigeria

    EDITORIAL: The Flaws In Governor Emefiele’s Five-Year Plan For Central Bank of Nigeria

Subscribe to our Opinion articles via email

Enter your email address to get notifications of new opinion articles as they are published.

Join 526,545 other subscribers

Most Popular

  • The Bad Consequences and Dangers of Adultery and Fornication (Zina) In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau
    The Bad Consequences and Dangers of Adultery and Fornication (Zina) In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau
  • Islam and the Conditions For Marrying More Than One Wife, By Murtadha Gusau
    Islam and the Conditions For Marrying More Than One Wife, By Murtadha Gusau
  • The Qualities of a Good Leader In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau
    The Qualities of a Good Leader In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau
  • World Teachers Day and The Position of Teachers In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau
    World Teachers Day and The Position of Teachers In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau
  • You Will Be Held Responsible On What Happened To Your Children!, By Murtadha Gusau
    You Will Be Held Responsible On What Happened To Your Children!, By Murtadha Gusau
  • The Women Prohibited For Men To Marry In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau
    The Women Prohibited For Men To Marry In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau
  • The Dangers of Evil and Misguided Clerics/Scholars In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau
    The Dangers of Evil and Misguided Clerics/Scholars In Islam, By Murtadha Gusau

Like us on Facebook

Like us on Facebook

Podcasts

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

  • Main News
  • About Us
  • Contact

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Democracy and Governance
    • Bámidélé Upfront
    • Jibrin Ibrahim
    • Okey Ndibe
  • Economy
    • Ifeanyi Uddin
  • Issues of the Day
    • Adeolu Ademoyo
    • Aribisala on Tuesday
    • Dele Agekameh
    • Pius Adesanmi
  • Politics
    • Ebeneezer Obadare
    • Femi Fani-Kayode
    • Garba Shehu
    • Hannatu Musawa
    • Zainab Suleiman Okino
  • Guest Columns
  • Faith
    • Article of Faith
    • Sunday Ogidigbo
    • Friday Sermon
    • Elevated Sight

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
 

Loading Comments...