As part of efforts to enhance the existing bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the United States, the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement recently engaged with the Nigeria’s government.
The council’s engagement underscores the significance of the impact of the Nigerian diaspora which follows the historic Framework of Cooperation signed between the U.S. and Kenya in May 2024 at Spelman College in Atlanta.
The agreement include funds to support the Edtech Africa Initiative, a public-private partnership recommended by the US President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement to promote STEM education partnerships between HBCUs, Mastercard, and Microsoft.
Speaking after a closed door meeting with the delegation in Abuja, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, highlighted the country’s commitment to leveraging on its overseas community in a move to reshape Nigeria’s international image as well as boost the economic impact of its diaspora.
Drawing comparisons with other countries that have smaller diaspora populations but higher economic contributions, the Minister emphasised the need to improve the Gross Domestic Product’s contributions of Nigerians abroad.
Executive Director, US President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, Deniece Laurent-Mantey, noted that Nigeria was part of their first official trip to Africa. She explained that the council, inaugurated by President Biden in 2023, aims to strengthen the African diaspora’s role in economic and social development. The ongoing efforts of the US President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement shows the importance of the initiatives and the potential for further collaboration between the U.S. and African nations. The council was established by President Biden via Executive Order 14089 during the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and was formally inaugurated in October 2023 by Vice President Harris.
