Nigeria Asks The US to Return More Stolen Money

On Monday, Nigeria’s Federal Government formally requested that the United States government repatriate additional illicit funds that had been channeled out of Nigeria through its banking system.

During the 6th Session of the Nigeria-US Bi-National Commission held in Abuja, Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, articulated this appeal. Tuggar, represented by Adamu Lamuwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed the need for “increased support from the U.S.,” noting that the “$308 million repatriated in the past was only a fraction of Nigeria’s money illegally transferred over time.”

He assured that the Nigerian government is committed to “utilizing these funds for the collective benefit of its citizens,” in alignment with agreements made with development partners, focusing primarily on infrastructure projects such as roads, schools, and education.

Furthermore, Tuggar referenced the outcomes of the Democratic National Convention held in February 2020 in Washington, DC, where “the governments of Nigeria, the United States, and Jersey signed a tripartite agreement to return to Nigeria the sum of over $308 million of funds stolen from the country.” He implored the U.S. to “do more because $308 million is a meager amount when you look at the resources that Nigeria has lost over the years due to illegal transfers of funds from the country.”

He also highlighted that this year’s session theme, “Partnership for Mutual Benefit and Development,” is particularly “relevant and timely” and posited that strengthening ties between these two major democracies holds promise for “an even more robust partnership, fostering peace, prosperity, and advancement not only in Africa but globally.”

Additionally, during her remarks, Molly Phee, the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, representing U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, emphasized the importance of security cooperation in the Nigeria-U.S. partnership. She stated, “Security cooperation is another crucial aspect of our relationship. Without security, prosperity will be elusive and human rights threatened.” Phee outlined the joint efforts aimed at addressing the “broad security challenges facing Nigeria,” including terrorism, banditry, and piracy, which threaten its population.

She affirmed the U.S. commitment to “helping Nigeria build more capable, professional and accountable security forces while ensuring respect for human rights, and fundamental freedoms, including for religious minorities.”

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