Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has called for stronger collaboration between Nigeria and the United States in the areas of security, humanitarian response, health, and economic development.
Edu made this appeal on Sunday while hosting the 111th Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, at her residence in Abuja.
Adams, a former police officer and two-term President of the New York City Council, served as mayor from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2025. The Abuja meeting marked his first international engagement since leaving office.
The visit comes amid growing concerns in the United States over Nigeria’s security challenges, as well as emerging gaps in the country’s health and humanitarian sectors following recent reductions in international aid to several countries, including Nigeria. The discussions also touched on renewed efforts by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to deepen international cooperation in security and the protection of vulnerable communities.
Speaking after the meeting, Edu said the engagement provided an opportunity to present Nigeria’s security realities from a citizen-centred perspective, while highlighting efforts by the Federal Government to curb insecurity.
She also drew attention to humanitarian challenges and funding gaps created by dwindling external support, stressing the need for sustained international partnerships.
On the health sector which she spoke deeply about particularly Nigeria’s drive toward Universal Health Coverage, Edu noted that high out-of-pocket healthcare spending remains a major contributor to poverty in the country and requires long-term international investment and collaboration.
On the economy, she said Nigeria’s economy was stabilising and open to mutually beneficial investments, urging Adams to leverage his global influence and networks to attract investors, grants and development funding into critical sectors.
Edu appealed to the former mayor to serve as an advocate for peace, unity and development in Nigeria, emphasising that U.–Nigeria collaboration must go beyond security.
“Beyond security, the United States should find ways to support health, humanitarian services, education and other critical sectors to achieve a more durable and holistic solution to insecurity,” she said.
She also encouraged Adams to mobilise the Nigerian diaspora in New York to positively project Nigeria’s image, tell the country’s story from a Nigerian perspective and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“I feel honoured to receive him, and Nigeria will greatly benefit from this strategic visit. We strongly believe he will use his global platform and network in the United States of America and beyond to advocate for Nigeria and mobilise support for the Nigerian people,” Edu added.
In his remarks, Adams highlighted the significant contributions of Nigerians to New York City, describing it as home to one of the largest Nigerian diaspora communities in the world. He urged Nigerians in the United States to remain connected to their roots and actively support Nigeria’s development.
“You are Nigerian-American, not American-Nigerian,” he said.
Adams pledged to deploy his global profile and networks to attract investment opportunities, grants and development funding to Nigeria, while mobilising Nigerians in New York to support initiatives aimed at reducing insecurity and poverty, improving healthcare delivery and increasing school enrolment.
As part of the visit, Edu presented the former mayor with locally made souvenirs, including beautifully crafted Adire fabric materials, in a gesture reflecting Nigerian hospitality and cultural pride.
Edu was appointed Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in August 2023 but was suspended from office on January 8, 2024, by President Tinubu amid allegations of financial misconduct. The controversy followed reports that she approved the transfer of ₦585 million in public funds meant for vulnerable groups’ grants into a personal bank account belonging to a ministry project accountant, an action that sparked public outrage. President Tinubu subsequently directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate all financial transactions of the ministry to ensure integrity and accountability.
However, the report of the investigation was yet to be made public, while President Tinubu had appointed a replacement for Betta Edu.
