Leaders of Nigeria and the United States Hold Strategic Phone Call on Global Cooperation
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and U.S. President Joe Biden engaged in a significant phone conversation yesterday that addressed major international concerns, including Nigeria’s potential seat on the United Nations Security Council and issues surrounding cryptocurrency exchange Binance. The call, which lasted approximately 30 minutes, commenced at 4 p.m. Nigerian time and has sparked discussions on the growing partnership between Africa’s most populous nation and the United States.
Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, provided insight into the call during a press briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Tuggar shared that the dialogue underscored the dedication of both nations to strengthening their collaborative efforts, particularly in the realms of law enforcement and financial regulation.
Among the key topics was the recent release of Tigran Gambaryan, Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance. Gambaryan, who had been detained in Nigeria for the past eight months, was freed after Nigerian authorities chose to terminate his money laundering trial due to health and diplomatic considerations. His release, Tuggar noted, represented a pivotal point in Nigeria-U.S. relations and highlighted the two nations’ cooperative approach to financial crime enforcement.
“The call was about the collaboration between the two countries with regards to law enforcement and law enforcement agencies as well as the release of one of the suspects of the cryptocurrency exchange company that you are all aware of,” Tuggar stated, pointing to the broader implications of Gambaryan’s case on bilateral regulatory cooperation.
In addition to the Binance-related discussions, the leaders delved into Africa’s representation on the global diplomatic stage. According to Tuggar, President Biden expressed the United States’ commitment to advancing Africa’s role within the United Nations Security Council. Currently, Africa holds non-permanent rotating seats on the Council, but many African leaders have advocated for permanent representation.
“The leaders also discussed the issue of a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council,” Tuggar conveyed. “Biden assured that the United States was committed to seeing Africa have a permanent seat and does not see why one of those seats should not belong to Nigeria.”
As one of the leading voices for African interests globally, Nigeria has long championed for greater inclusion and recognition within international institutions. Biden’s support for an African permanent seat, particularly one for Nigeria, could mark a significant shift in the Council’s representation and signal growing recognition of Africa’s role in global governance.
The conversation between Presidents Tinubu and Biden indicates a renewed diplomatic commitment between Nigeria and the United States, as they address both contemporary global challenges and long-standing structural issues. By tackling topics ranging from cryptocurrency regulation to UN reform, the leaders underscored their shared priorities and aspirations for a more inclusive and secure international community.
This call, officials noted, reinforces the message that Nigeria and the United States are not only strategic partners but are also aligned on major international issues, setting a foundation for future engagements that may enhance Africa’s influence on the world stage.
