by George Ozalla
Dr. Betta Edu on Sunday hosted the immediate past Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, at her residence in Abuja, where discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between Nigeria and the United States across security, health, humanitarian response, and economic development.
Adams, a former police officer and two-term President of the New York City Council, served as the 111th Mayor of New York City from January 2022 to December 2025. The Abuja meeting marked his first international engagement since leaving office.
The visit comes amid growing concerns within the United States over insecurity in Nigeria and emerging gaps in the country’s health and humanitarian sectors following recent reductions in international aid to several countries, including Nigeria. The meeting also reviewed renewed efforts by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deepen international cooperation, particularly in security and the protection of vulnerable communities.
Speaking after the meeting, Dr. Edu said the engagement provided an opportunity to present Nigeria’s security realities from a citizen-centred perspective, while outlining the steps being taken by the Federal Government to curb insecurity. She also drew attention to humanitarian challenges and funding gaps created by dwindling external support.
Health sector issues featured prominently, with discussions around Nigeria’s drive toward Universal Health Coverage. Dr. Edu noted that high out-of-pocket healthcare spending remains a major contributor to poverty and requires sustained international partnership and investment.
On the economy, she stated that Nigeria’s economy is stabilising and remains open to mutually beneficial investments, urging Adams to leverage his global influence and networks to attract investors, grants, and development funding into critical sectors.
Dr. Edu appealed to the former mayor to serve as an advocate for peace, unity, and development in Nigeria, stressing that U.S.–Nigeria collaboration must go beyond security to include health, humanitarian services, education, and other critical areas. She also encouraged him to mobilise the Nigerian diaspora in New York to positively project Nigeria’s image and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Adams, in his remarks, highlighted the significant contributions of Nigerians to New York City, which he described as home to one of the largest Nigerian diaspora communities globally. He urged Nigerians in the United States to remain connected to their roots and actively support Nigeria’s development efforts.
He pledged to deploy his global profile and networks to attract investment opportunities, grants, and development funding to Nigeria, while mobilising Nigerians in New York to support initiatives aimed at reducing insecurity and poverty, improving healthcare delivery, and increasing school enrolment.
The visit concluded with Dr. Edu presenting Adams with locally made souvenirs, including Adire fabric materials, as a symbol of Nigerian hospitality and cultural pride.
Dr. Betta Edu is a public policy expert and former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, while Eric Adams is a former Mayor of New York City and a prominent figure within the Nigerian diaspora community in the United States.
