Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, officially opened the “American Corner” in the Lekki area of Lagos state on Wednesday, January 24.
The creative and tech-enabled American space in Lagos aims to foster Nigerian young entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity.
Blinken, who is now on his second day in Nigeria, was joined by other U.S. government representatives at the space’s opening by Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
‘American Corners’ serve as regional resource centres for information and programs highlighting American culture, history, current events, and government.
According to the U.S. Embassy, since 2000, the U.S. has launched 245 American Corners in approximately 60 countries.
The facility commissioned on Wednesday braced the United States of America President, Joe Biden’s policy to propel digital transformation and foster a digital ecosystem in Sub-Saharan Africa.
It further sought to elevate Nigeria’s youth innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity.
The US Secretary of State on Tuesday in a meeting with President Bola Tinubu said the US government is willing to support Nigeria in its social investment programmes to ease the hardship occasioned by the removal of petrol subsidy.
While expressing support for Nigeria’s economic reforms, he noted the short-term impact on vulnerable communities, saying the meeting explored ways to cushion the hardships.
He said, “We welcome the President’s bold reforms to unify the currency and end fuel subsidy. We also recognise that in the short term, these reforms created pain for vulnerable communities.
“I spoke about some ways that the United States can support Nigerians while the government carries out these essential reforms and works to protect those who may, again in the short term, be negatively affected.”
Blinken said the Biden administration is eager to continue its investing streak in Nigeria’s health sector, having invested over $8.5bn in the last five years towards HIV and tuberculosis prevention, care and treatment and in strengthening the system.
