Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications to President Bola Tinubu, emphasized the importance of strengthening Nigeria’s ties with the United States, describing them as “treasured, warm and robust.” Speaking in Washington, DC, he stressed that renewed US engagement is crucial amid evolving global and regional security threats.

Dare highlighted President Tinubu’s familiarity with American institutions, citing his education in Chicago and professional experience in a US accounting firm, as a foundation for continued cooperation in development, peace, and security.

He rejected claims of religious targeting, stating that violence affects all Nigerians and is driven by extremist groups, banditry, and transnational forces, not state-sanctioned actions.

Dare also pointed to regional instability, arms proliferation, and ungoverned spaces as major drivers of violence, advocating for a stronger US media and diplomatic presence in Nigeria, including reopening the Voice of America office in Abuja.

He underlined that the Nigeria-US partnership has been consistently strong, citing cooperation in ECOMOG missions, trade, education, energy, and cultural exchanges. Dare called for sustained engagement to address global instability and deepen bilateral cooperation.