Nigeria and the United States currently have a close relationship, as evidenced by a visit to Nigeria by U.S. first lady Laura Bush in January and a visit to the United States by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in March. The relationship has not always been so smooth, however.
Since gaining independence from Great Britain in 1960, Nigeria has experienced a series of uprisings, coups and a civil war, which have all impacted relations with the United States.
The most serious rift began in June 1993, when then-military leader Gen. Ibrahim Babangida cancelled the results of the presidential election — one that appeared to be the fairest in Nigeria’s history, according to the U.S. Department of State. Following the cancellation, the United States put restrictions on travel by selected Nigerian government officials and their family members and suspended arms sales and military assistance. Later that summer, the United States suspended all direct flights to and from Nigeria.
The next two years in Nigeria were characterized by unrest and challenges to power, leading to the execution of nine political activists, including well-known Nigerian author Ken Saro-Wiwa, in late 1995. Following the executions, the United States temporarily recalled its ambassador to Nigeria.
Relations between the two nations began to improve in 1998 after Nigeria experienced still another transfer of power and a shift toward democratic reforms. Soon after, according to the State Department, ties were strengthened by the removal of visa restrictions, increased visits from high-level U.S. officials to Nigeria and the granting of vital national interest certification on counter-narcotics to Nigeria.
The certification indicates that while Nigeria is on a list of nations in which there is significant illicit drug production, the nation is working to correct the problem. Certification allows the United States to continue normal relations with Nigeria, particularly in the areas of aid and other economic issues.
The relationship has further improved during the tenure of current President Obasanjo, who was elected in 1999.
But a recent move to extend the term limits provision of the Nigerian Constitution to allow for a third term by Obasanjo was viewed with concern by many Nigerians and officials in the U.S. government.
The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria released a statement in April that said in part, “The United States respects the right of any country to amend its constitution through democratic, transparent and legal means. However, the United States is concerned about the current effort to amend Nigeria’s constitution in order to allow presidents and governors to run for a third term.”
The statement ended with a pointed message, “We understand President Obasanjo has not made any formal announcement of his plans after his second term expires in 2007.”
The tense situation was defused a month later when the Nigerian Senate rejected the proposal to change the constitution, prohibiting Obasanjo from seeking a third term.
Today the two nations cooperate on many fronts. The United States is working with Nigeria on such issues as HIV/AIDS, anti-terrorism and avian flu.
The United States is also an important trading partner with Nigeria, ranking first in exports and second in imports. The large volume of exports from Nigerian to the United States is attributable in large part to oil. The United States is the top importer of Nigerian crude oil, and Nigeria ranks as the fifth largest supplier of oil to the United States.
“The United States values the friendship, partnership and shared values which exist between us and Nigeria,” said U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria John Campbell in March. “We look forward to continuing that partnership in the future.”
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