IBADAN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on Friday met with United States Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House in Washington D.C.
The Vice President arrived the United States on Wednesday, to seek global partnerships and support for Nigeria’s $140 billion Energy Transition Plan.
The two leaders recognized the strong cultural ties between the American and Nigerian people, noting the remarkable vibrancy of the Nigerian diaspora.
VP Harris underscored the importance of Nigerian leadership to tackle shared global challenges.
VP Harris reiterated the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to address the global food crisis, noting that the United States has committed more than $7 billion in food security and humanitarian assistance to African countries since last October.
Harris also welcomed Osinbajo’s commitment to free and fair elections in 2023 and emphasized that next year’s vote would be an important milestone for Nigeria’s democracy, the largest in Africa.
She noted strong U.S. support for a credible, transparent, secure, and safe electoral process, including by advancing our longstanding partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission and Nigerian civil society with $25 million in elections support.
Harris informed Osinbajo that the Biden-Harris Administration will provide an additional $2 million to help support a safer and more secure elections environment.
She also thanked Osinbajo for Nigeria’s leadership in working to reverse recent democratic backsliding in West Africa.
The Vice Presidents also discussed Nigeria’s complex security challenges and affirmed our cooperation to counter terrorism.
Harris noted the importance of strengthening public trust in law enforcement institutions and highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to support police reform.
To that end, she informed VP Osinbajo that the Biden-Harris Administration will commit an additional $5 million to support police and criminal justice reform in Nigeria.