By Ebi Kesiena
Nigeria’s Minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris has disclosed that the existing relationship between Nigeria and the US is cordial and intact as the government has resolved its recent diplomatic spat through a firm engagement.
Idris noted this while speaking on Monday at an end-of-year press conference in Abuja, presenting the governments score card for the year 2025.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s approach to international diplomacy throughout 2025, the Minister noted that the country is not losing its position globally despite shifting geopolitical dynamics.
He noted that in 2025, Nigeria navigated complex international diplomacy with a recent diplomatic spat with the United States culminated in the signing of a five-year, $5.1 billion bilateral health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding, under which the US will provide $2.1 billion in grant funding while Nigeria commits $3 billion.
The agreement, he said, has been described as the largest co-investment under the America First Global Health Strategy and is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, save lives, and attract fresh investment.
On insecurity, the Minister explained that the Federal Government would no longer tolerate activities of non state actors adding that in the coming months there will be massive requirements into the armed forces and police force, and the deployment of trained and equiped forest guards, to secure the forest and other vulnerable locations.
He added that the government’s approach to national security is anchored on clarity at restoring confidence among Nigerians.
Meanwhile, on the economic front, Idris explained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has committed to fully unifying Nigeria’s budget cycles by 2026, supported by new tax reform laws which will promote accountability.
He however noted that while reforms may bring temporary pains, it will yield lasting gains, reaffirming that Nigeria is consolidating stability and steadily building a secure nation for all.
