The Federal Government has said its recent diplomatic disagreement with the United States, during which US President Donald Trump reportedly threatened military intervention over alleged mass killings of Christians in Nigeria, has been largely resolved.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Monday at a year-end news conference in Abuja.
“The recent diplomatic spat with the United States has been largely resolved through a firm, respectful engagement culminating in a strengthened partnership between America and Nigeria,” Idris said.
According to the minister, Nigeria demonstrated maturity and principled leadership in navigating complex international diplomacy throughout 2025, adding that recent developments show the country’s relationship with the United States remains strong.
He cited the signing of a major bilateral health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and the United States as evidence of improved ties.
“Just last week, the Federal Government of Nigeria signed a five-year, $5.1 billion bilateral health cooperation MoU with the government of the United States,” Idris said.
Under the agreement, the United States is expected to provide $2.1 billion in grant funding, while Nigeria will commit $3 billion. Idris described the deal as the largest co-investment by any country so far under the America First Global Health Strategy.
He said the partnership would strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, save lives and attract investment, stressing that concerns about a deterioration in Nigeria–US relations following the recent misunderstanding had been dispelled.
“Those who thought Nigeria’s relationships with the US were going down due to the recent misunderstanding can now see that the ties are even stronger than before,” the minister said.
Idris added that Nigeria is no longer on the sidelines of global affairs but has emerged as a confident and strategic partner, actively defending its national interests while attracting mutually beneficial partnerships.
On diplomatic representation, the minister said Nigeria’s newly appointed ambassadors would assume duty in their respective countries in 2026, following their clearance and confirmation by the National Assembly.
He noted that the deployment of the ambassadors would further strengthen Nigeria’s bilateral relations, enhance its global visibility, and deepen strategic engagement on the international stage.
