UNITED States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken has held a phone conversation with President-elect Bola Tinubu ahead of the inauguration of Nigeria’s next administration on May 29.

According to the spokesperson for the US State Department Matthew Miller, Blinken during the phone conversation on Tuesday, May 16, assured of the US government’s commitment to further strengthen bilateral relationship between the two nations under the incoming administration.

This was disclosed in a press statement on the US Department of State’s website, titled ‘Secretary Blinken’s Call with Nigerian President-elect Tinubu’.

Highlighting the foundation of the US-Nigeria partnership, Blinken underscored the shared interests and robust people-to-people ties that bind the two countries.

The statement reads, “Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke this morning with Nigerian President-elect Bola Tinubu, to emphasize his continued commitment to further strengthening the U.S.-Nigeria relationship with the incoming administration.

“The Secretary noted that the U.S.-Nigeria partnership is built on shared interests and strong people-to-people ties and that those links should continue to strengthen under President-elect Tinubu’s tenure.

“Secretary Blinken and President-elect Tinubu discussed the importance of inclusive leadership that represents all Nigerians, continued comprehensive security cooperation, and reforms to support economic growth.”

Tinubu, whose victory in the February 25 presidential election is being challenged in court by opponents including Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), is scheduled for inauguration on May 29, when incumbent president Muhammadu Buhari will vacate office.

Tinubu is currently outside Nigeria, having embarked on a foreign trip to Europe on May 10.

His media team described the trip as a working visit.