PT: Two questions that are quite similar; how would you describe the US-Nigeria relation and how can we improve that relationship?Well, a 60-year relationship, whether it is government to government or people to people, we are always looking for ways to develop it further and make it better.
Think about cultural preservation – the Smithsonian and a couple of other institutions just sent back 29 bronzes and it is wonderful to have them home. Now we need to collaborate. How should those be curated? How can they be used as a mechanism to bring museums and citizens and artists together to examine a wonderful cultural heritage?
Nigeria at the African Leaders Summit signed the Artemis Accords, which is all about space. So moving forward, how do we organise responsible civilian space exploration? PT: Describe the relationship between the US and Nigeria. A lot of people say it is like the hand-me-down shop kind of relationship. I would like you to perhaps use five words to describe the relationship.I would say that it is robust; it is entrepreneurial… Can I use phrases? It always seeks to improve itself, it goes to the core needs of Nigeria’s population and areas of mutual interest. I think it is in terrific shape.
So the place where I was as a terrified junior officer in 1989 was the same place where I learned that I was going to become ambassador to Nigeria. The rest of the evening was quite difficult because, of course, between being told that you are the candidate and becoming the ambassador is a very long road.