The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be visiting Nigeria to visit President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama to have discussions on the country’s democracy. 

This visit has been announced in a press statement by U.S. spokesperson, Ned Price. 

“Secretary Blinken will then travel to Abuja, where he will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama and discuss furthering cooperation on global health security, expanding energy access and economic growth, and revitalising democracy,” the statement said. 

In addition to this meeting, the statement added that Mr Blinken will be engaging with Nigerian entrepreneurs in the digital sector and will give a speech on U.S.-Africa policy in Abuja.

Mr Blinken’s visit to the capital is part of a six-day program, between November 15-20, where he meets with the leaders of Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal to strengthen the named countries relationship with the United States of America. 

Mr Blinken’s visit is to further U.S.-Africa collaboration on shared global priorities, such as ending the COVID-19 pandemic and building back to a more inclusive global economy, fighting against the climate crisis and  pushing for peace and security.

Mr Blinken’s trip will begin in Nairobi, where he will meet with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Raychelle Omamo, where issues like the U.S. support for a peaceful and inclusive Kenyan election in 2022 will be discussed as well as regional security concerns.  

Mr Blinken will then end his trip in Dakar, where he will meet with President Macky Sall and Foreign Minister Aïssata Tall Sall to reaffirm the close partnership between both countries. The statement noted that Mr Blinken is looking forward to discussing regional issues and shared values.