Africa-Press – Nigeria. <\/strong><\/span>A Harris presidency may foster long-term development in Nigeria while Trump may prioritise economic transactions, contends ADEMOLA OSHODI<\/p>\nAs a global power, the United States of America significantly influences global affairs. Now in the thick of November 2024 presidential elections, citizens and governments worldwide are keen on the outcome, as much as Americans. For instance, while the Nigerian government has never endorsed any US election presidential candidate, many Nigerians draw correlations between US political parties and theirs. Nigerians are thus divided between Kamala Harris (Democratic Party) and Donald Trump (Republican Party), as questions arise as to what the outcomes could mean for USA-Nigeria relations.<\/p>\n
US-Nigeria relations have fluctuated over the years, since the ruling party and its ideology mostly dictate governance. Many Nigerians believe that Democrat presidents are accommodating of immigrants and supportive of Africa\u2019s interests, much more than Republican presidents who are more supportive of trade and investment. Although lacking data, these perspectives are widely held. A historical analysis from 1981 helps to situate this argument.<\/p>\n
Republican-led US-Nigerian relations were a mix of targeted engagement and interests. Under President Ronald Reagan (1981-1989), relations were cordial, although the administration focused more on global anti-communism than specific bilateral relations with Nigeria. President George Bush (1989-1993) increased engagement with Africa and supported Nigeria\u2019s democratic transition. President George Bush (Jnr)\u2019s (2001-2009) engagement with Africa, through the President\u2019s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), benefitted Nigeria\u2019s health and development sectors. The administration increased the US\u2019 aid to Africa by over 600%, of which a significant portion came to Nigeria. In 2003, he also became the first Republican President to visit Nigeria.<\/p>\n
The Donald Trump (2017-2021) administration\u2019s anti-immigration policies made him unpopular among Nigerians. His reference to Haiti and African countries as \u2018shithole countries\u2019 offended many. Nevertheless, Trump recognized Nigeria\u2019s significance in Africa. His first conversation as President with an African leader was a telephone call to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017. Buhari was also the first African leader invited to the White House by Trump, but this was marred by Trump\u2019s leaked reference to Buhari as \u2018lifeless\u2019. Although the USA tried, unsuccessfully, to deter the emergence of Nigeria\u2019s Akinwumi Adeshina and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as President of the Africa Development Bank and Director-General of World Trade Organization, respectively, it also removed Nigeria\u2019s blockade to acquiring military hardware against insurgency. The Nigerian Government maintained a less combative relationship with the USA on human rights issues, as Trump\u2019s administration either deliberately or coincidentally refrained from interfering in Nigeria\u2019s internal affairs despite negative reports. Also, the State Department and the USAID allocated $450 million in bilateral support for Nigeria in 2020.<\/p>\n
Under Democrats, there were significant US-Nigeria engagements too. The Clinton administration (1993-2001) supported Nigeria\u2019s transition to democracy but failed to defend it when the 1993 presidential election was annulled. Also, while the African Growth and Opportunity Act was established to promote preferential trade between the US and Africa, Nigeria barely felt the economic impact. Obama\u2019s presidency (2009-2017), focused on economic and security cooperation and promoting democratic governance in Africa. His Power Africa Initiative experienced limited success. Obama\u2019s highlight was his approval to remove the Libyan leader, Muammar Gadhafi, and his visit to Ghana. Nigerians remember Obama for blocking Nigeria\u2019s quest to purchase high-grade military hardware needed to stem insurgency under the pretext that the arms may be used against civilians.<\/p>\n
The Biden administration has supported Nigeria, committing over $1.2 billion in economic development, humanitarian assistance, health, education, and social services in 2022. It also supports Nigeria\u2019s security and climate efforts through military-security training and partnering to reduce carbon emissions.<\/p>\n
What would the presidency of either Donald Trump or Kamal Harris mean for Nigeria?<\/b><\/p>\n
Foreign relations during Trump\u2019s first presidency were transactional, and Nigeria may benefit more from this at this point. If Nigeria aligns with the US\u2019 economic interests, it could benefit from increased trade or investment in sectors like oil and gas. Also, Trump has a record of providing military and counterterrorism support to Nigeria, which, if prioritized, could further West Africa\u2019s regional security.<\/p>\n
Conversely, a Harris presidency, judging from her history, could prioritize democracy and human rights. This might mean putting conditions on military assistance to Nigeria under the guise of promoting human rights. Support toward anti-corruption, economic development, climate change, and global health may benefit Nigeria through increased development aid and trade partnerships. Harris\u2019 balanced approach to immigration could positively impact the Nigerian Diaspora and youths seeking to study or work in the USA. However, the Democrats\u2019 recent shift to the right on immigration may see Harris adopting a less-than-traditional immigration approach. Biden\u2019s support for the bi-partisan immigration deal aimed at tightening border controls indicates that possibility.<\/p>\n
In summary, a Harris presidency might foster long-term development and systemic change in Nigeria, while Trump may prioritize security and economic transactions. Their impacts depend on evolving global dynamics and how each integrates Nigeria into broader foreign policy priorities.<\/p>\n
Oshodi is a political analyst. He is currently the Senior Special Assistant (Protocol) to President Tinubu<\/p>\n
thisdaylive<\/b><\/p>\n
For More News And Analysis About Nigeria Follow Africa-Press<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By thisdaylive Africa-Press – Nigeria. A Harris presidency may foster long-term development in Nigeria while Trump may prioritise economic transactions, contends ADEMOLA OSHODI As a global power, the United States of America significantly influences global affairs. Now in the thick of November 2024 presidential elections, citizens and governments worldwide are keen on the outcome, as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":138423,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,1437],"tags":[254],"class_list":["post-138424","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-files","tag-nigeria"],"yoast_head":"\n
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