The United States has dismissed reports claiming that its Ambassador to Nigeria has been recalled following recent diplomatic exchanges between the two countries, stressing that any change in ambassadorial posting is a normal administrative process and not a reflection of bilateral tensions.
Responding to enquiries by newsmen on Tuesday night, a Senior State Department official in Washington, DC, said ambassadorial changes are routine and tied to administrative procedures.
“Any change in Ambassador is a standard process in any administration. An ambassador is a personal representative of the President,” the official said.
The US official also addressed concerns earlier raised by President Donald Trump over alleged religious violence in Nigeria, noting that Washington expects sustained efforts and continued progress from the Nigerian government.
“The Government of Nigeria has undertaken reforms to prioritise the protection of Christian populations from extremist violence, and we expect Nigeria to continue making measurable progress in combating religiously motivated violence against Christian communities,” the official added.
The clarification followed reports suggesting that the United States had recalled, or was planning to recall, its Ambassador to Nigeria after recent diplomatic engagements over security and religious freedom issues.
The Federal Government of Nigeria had earlier stated that the diplomatic disagreement triggered by President Trump’s comments had largely been resolved.
The US response, however, indicates that diplomatic relations between both countries remain intact, with Washington maintaining its focus on Nigeria’s efforts to address religiously motivated violence and broader security challenges.
