Victory for Kamala Harris or Donald Trump in the US presidential election will send US-Nigeria relations down very different paths, writes Ademola Oshodi.

As a global power, the US significantly influences global affairs. As November’s presidential elections approaches, citizens and governments around the world are watching as closely as many Americans.

While the Nigerian government has never endorsed any US election presidential candidate, many Nigerians draw correlations between US political parties and theirs. Nigerians are thus divided between Kamala Harris (Democratic Party) and Donald Trump (Republican Party), as questions arise as to what the outcomes could mean for USA-Nigeria relations.

US-Nigeria relations have fluctuated over the years, based on who was the ruling party at the time.  Many Nigerians believe that Democrat presidents are accommodating of immigrants and supportive of Africa’s interests, much more than Republican presidents who are more supportive of trade and investment. Although lacking data, these perspectives are widely held.

Looking back

Republican-led US-Nigerian relations were a mix of targeted engagement and interests. Under Ronald Reagan (1981-1989), relations were cordial, although the administration focused more on global anti-communism than specific bilateral relations with Nigeria. George Bush (1989-1993) increased engagement with Africa and supported Nigeria’s democratic transition. George Bush Jnr’s (2001-2009) engagement with Africa, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the Millennium Challenge Corporation, benefitted Nigeria’s health and development sectors. The administration increased the US aid to Africa by over 600 per cent, of which a significant portion came to Nigeria. In 2003, Bush became the first Republican President to visit Nigeria.

Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies made him unpopular among Nigerians. His reference to ‘shithole countries’ offended many. Nevertheless, Trump recognised Nigeria’s significance in Africa. His first conversation as President with an African leader was a telephone call to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017. Buhari was also the first African leader invited to the White House by Trump, but this was marred by Trump’s leaked reference to Buhari as ‘lifeless’.

Although the US tried, unsuccessfully, to prevent the appointment of Nigeria’s Akinwunmi Adeshina and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as President of the Africa Development Bank and Director-General of the World Trade Organization, respectively, it also removed the blockade against Nigeria acquiring military hardware to use against insurgency. The Nigerian Government maintained a less combative relationship with the US on human rights issues, as Trump’s administration refrained from interfering in Nigeria’s internal affairs despite negative reports. Also, not insignificantly the State Department and the USAID allocated $450 million in bilateral support for Nigeria in 2020.

Under Democrats, there were significant US-Nigeria engagements too. The Bill Clinton administration (1993-2001) supported Nigeria’s transition to democracy but failed to defend it when the 1993 presidential election was annulled. Also, while the African Growth and Opportunity Act was established to promote preferential trade between the US and Africa, Nigeria barely felt the economic impact. Barak Obama’s presidency (2009-2017), focussed on economic and security cooperation and promoting democratic governance in Africa. His Power Africa Initiative experienced limited success. Obama’s highlight was his approval to remove the Libyan leader, Muammar Gadhafi, and his visit to Ghana. But in Nigeria, Obama is remembered for blocking Nigeria’s quest to purchase high-grade military hardware needed to stem insurgency under the pretext that the arms may be used against civilians.

The Joe Biden administration has supported Nigeria, committing over $1.2 billion in economic development, humanitarian assistance, health, education, and social services in 2022. It also supports Nigeria’s security and climate efforts through military-security training and partnering to reduce carbon emissions.

Trump or Harris?

Foreign relations during Trump’s first presidency were transactional, and Nigeria may benefit from this. If Nigeria aligns with the US economic interests, it could see increased trade or investment in sectors like oil and gas. Also, Trump has a record of providing military and counterterrorism support to Nigeria, which, could help improve West Africa’s regional security.

Conversely, a Harris presidency, judging from her history, would prioritise democracy and human rights. This might mean putting conditions on military assistance to Nigeria. Support toward anti-corruption, economic development, climate change, and global health may benefit Nigeria through increased development aid and trade partnerships. Harris’ balanced approach to immigration could positively impact the Nigerian Diaspora and youths seeking to study or work in the US. However, the Democrats’ recent shift to the right on immigration may see Harris adopting a less-than-traditional immigration approach. Biden’s support for the bi-partisan immigration deal aimed at tightening border controls indicates that possibility.

In summary, a Harris presidency might foster long-term development and systemic change in Nigeria, while Trump may prioritise security and economic transactions. Nigerians, like Americans and the rest of the world, will just have to wait and see.

Photo credit: Prathamesh Kale used with permission CC BY 2.0