By Peter.
In a timely pitch to reset the narrative amid frosty bilateral vibes, Presidential Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications Sunday Dare hailed Nigeria’s longstanding partnership with the United States as “treasured, warm, and robust” during a December 9, 2025, interview on Newsmax TV in Washington, DC. Speaking as President Bola Tinubu’s Chicago-trained envoy (a nod to his own Windy City roots), Dare urged a “renewed US engagement” to counter evolving global threats—think Sahel spillovers and porous borders—while boosting media/diplomatic footprints for “real-time” insights into Africa’s giant.
Dare’s charm offensive lands amid a transatlantic chill: Just weeks ago, President Donald Trump slapped Nigeria with a “Country of Particular Concern” tag under the International Religious Freedom Act, vowing military action over alleged “genocide” against Christians—a claim Dare, a Christian himself, flatly debunked as a “misrepresentation.” No state-sanctioned pogroms here, he stressed: Violence spares no faith, splintered from Boko Haram into ISWAP and bandit crews, fueled by Libya’s collapse, arms floods, and “internationally financed” networks—not jihadist vendettas. “Nigerians of all faiths suffer,” Dare said, echoing Abuja’s push for sovereignty-respecting US aid over drone threats.
Voice of America Revival: A Bridge for Better Briefings?
Dare zeroed in on reopening the shuttered Voice of America (VOA) bureau in Abuja as a win-win: On-the-ground reporting for “comprehensive analysis and diverse viewpoints” to inform US policy, cutting through DC’s echo chamber. (VOA’s Africa service, gutted in Trump’s first term, has limped on via remote feeds—Dare’s nudge aligns with Tinubu’s November greenlight for a US-Nigeria Joint Working Group on insecurity, plus intel-sharing on school kidnaps.) Tinubu’s creds? “Deeply understands American institutions”—from his Chicago accounting days to policy savvy on dev, peace, and security.
Enduring Bonds: From ECOMOG to Diaspora Dollars
Dare traced the “warm, cordial” thread back 65 years: US muscle for Nigeria’s ECOMOG ops in Liberia/Sierra Leone; steady ties through Trump 1.0; and post-1999 democracy dividends like trade booms, energy pacts, and 400,000+ Nigerian pros fueling US innovation (think tech hubs and med schools). Nigeria’s US-modeled presidency? A “deepener,” alongside cultural swaps and $10B+ annual remittances. As instability spikes—from Sahel jihads to Gulf of Guinea piracy—Dare called for “reinvigorated” channels: Open comms, shared values, strategic sync.
The Bigger Play: Reset or Rapprochement?
This Newsmax spot—timed post-Trump’s October 31 CPC slap and November 1 intervention threats—feels like diplomatic judo: Flip the “genocide” script to “committed partner,” spotlight mutual wins, and dangle intel/energy carrots. Analysts see it as Tinubu’s soft power play amid US aid cuts ($400M+ slashed since 2024) and stalled ambassador nods. X is buzzing: Posts praise Dare’s “masterclass” (@NigeriaStories: 5K+ views), while skeptics snipe “PR spin” on kidnaps (@CrisisGroup: Echoes Benin coup meddling fears). No White House riposte yet, but with Trump’s “disgraced country” barbs fresh, Dare’s olive branch could thaw the freeze—or fuel more fireworks.
In a volatile world, Nigeria’s pitching partnership over peril. As Dare wrapped: “Sustain what we’ve built—for our shared future.”
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