Nigeria, US Sign $2.17b Key Development Agreement

Nigeria and the United States of America, on Thursday, signed key development agreement worth $2.17 billion.

The Development Objective Agreement will play a role in supporting a healthier and more educated Nigeria, the pair announced during the visit of the
Secretary of State for the US, Anthony Blinken.

Blinken is on the second leg of his official visit to Africa and held a closed door meeting with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

The agreement was consummated as an offshoot of meeting which the pair said would further deepen diplomatic relations between the two countries.

According to the US Sec, the agreement will also promote and expand energy access, economic growth and revitalise democracy.

“Home to Africa’s largest population, democracy, and economy, Nigeria is one of our most important partners on the continent,” Blinken said.

He pointed out that, “Nigeria’s stability and prosperity are inseparable from that of the region.

“The year 2020 was historic, as Nigerians reflected on the opportunities and challenges facing the country, while marking the 60th anniversary of their independence and the beginning of bilateral relations with the United States.”

Speaking about US response to the COVID19 pandemic, Blinken said, “The United States and Nigeria have collaborated closely to combat the COVID19 pandemic.

“More than 60 interagency members from the US Mission worked side-by-side with Nigerian counterparts, including on the COVID19 Presidential Task Force, to plan and respond to the pandemic.

“In partnership with COVAX or bilaterally, the United States has provided more than seven and a half million doses of COVID19 vaccines to Nigeria and provided more than $119 million in COVID19-related health and humanitarian assistance.

“This includes a 40-bed mobile field hospital; support for ventilators and personal protective equipment; technical assistance with vaccine readiness;

“Conducting epidemiological COVID19 detection and vaccine hesitancy surveys; setting up electronic record systems; providing rapid response teams; training over 200,000 military and civilian personnel on COVID19 control measures;

“Developing and disseminating targeted education and prevention information through multiple channels; and transferring technology for virtual training.”

He said that in addition to these measures, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention helped establish a network of 153 COVID-19 testing labs nationwide.