– Meeting, very strategic, coming in the heat of the controversy around Christian persecution and Genocide in Nigeria and the newly formed collaboration between the USA and Nigeria Government, around security and protection of Christians in Nigeria
Dr Betta Edu, on Sunday, hosted the 111th Mayor of New York City; Eric Adams, at her residence in Abuja, on his first international visit post mayoralty.
The meeting, which was very strategic in the heat of the controversy around Christian persecution and Genocide in Nigeria and the newly formed collaboration between the USA and Nigeria Government, around security and protection of Christians in Nigeria
Strategic focus discussions held around the Nigerian context and security situation as perceived by ordinary citizens; humanitarian situation in Nigeria, the gaps brought about by the cut of humanitarian assistance from the US Government and other bilateral/ multilateral organizations; the Health sector and the Nigerian Journey to Achieving universal health coverage especially nailing “out-of-pocket”health expenditure as one of the major drivers of poverty in the country.
The duo also held discussions around the economy and the need for Eric Adams to use his global platform to attract investors to Nigeria as the economy is stable and ready to support mutually beneficial investments. She appealed to him to be an advocate for Nigeria, mobilize the large Nigerian community in New York to defend the country positively, and tell the Nigerian story from our perspective. While seeking ways to return to their root and contribute to the speedy growth and development in Nigeria!
Adams, a former police officer and two-term President of the New York City Council, served as the 111th Mayor of New York City from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2025, and is on his first international visit post mayoralty.
The meeting came amid rising US concerns over insecurity, emerging gaps in the health and humanitarian sector in Nigeria following the cut of Aids to several countries Nigeria included, alongside renewed efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s governments to deepen cooperation on security and the protection of vulnerable communities across Nigeria.
According to Edu, the discussions highlighted Nigeria’s security situation from the citizens’ perspective, addressed humanitarian challenges, and the gaps resulting from dwindling support from the US and other international partners.
The health sector also featured prominently, with emphasis on Nigeria’s push towards Universal Health Coverage, particularly the impact of out-of-pocket healthcare spending, identified as a major contributor to poverty index in the country.
On the economy, Edu said Nigeria’s economy was stabilising and open to mutually beneficial investments, urging Adams to leverage his international influence and extensive network to attract investors to the country.
She also appealed to him to be an advocate for peace, unity, and development in Nigeria. She appealed that the US collaboration with Nigeria should be holistic. Beyond security, the US should find ways of supporting health, humanitarian, education, and other relevant sectors for a more durable holistic solution to insecurity. She encouraged him to use his platform and network to mobilise the Nigerian diaspora in New York to defend Nigeria’s image positively, tell the country’s story from our perspective, and contribute to national development back home.
“I feel honoured to receive him, and Nigeria will greatly benefit from this strategic visit. We strongly believe he will use his global platform and network in the United States of America and beyond to advocate for Nigeria and mobilise support for the Nigerian people,” Edu said.
In his remarks, Adams highlighted the contributions of Nigerians to New York City, describing the city as home to one of the largest Nigerian diasporas communities in the world.
He urged Nigerians in the United States to remain connected to their roots and contribute to Nigeria’s development, saying, “You are Nigerian-American, not American-Nigerian.”
Adams also pledged to use his global profile and networks to attract investment opportunities to Nigeria, attract grants and development funding for some sectors discussed, while mobilising Nigerians in New York to support development back home which will help to reduce insecurity, and poverty, while supporting improved healthcare delivery and increased school enrolment.
showcasing Nigerian hospitality, Dr Betta gave the Mayor several locally made Sourvenier, including beautiful Adire fabric materials.