The United States and Nigerian Relations: Diplomatic Row over Official Terrorist Label

Abstract

Arguably, the US – Nigerian relations before the events on 25^th of December, 2009 was a healthy one. However, the attempted suicide bomb on that day had serious ramifications to the extent that it threatened the, otherwise cordial relationship between the two countries. Consequently, the United States of America put Nigeria on a watch list of potential terrorist countries. This did not only irked the generality of Nigerians (both home and abroad), but also generated calls for a retaliatory response from the Nigerian government. This paper examines the dynamics of the bilateral relations between the two countries, with a view to defining a trajectory, not only for the deadlock, but also to avert future similar occurrences. It recommends that while the Nigerian state should do more to curb religious fanaticism and other domestic crises that negatively impacts state stability, the US government should re-examine her foreign policy host to allow for international cooperation against global terrorism.