At the Friday night welcome celebration held by the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, Mills made this statement.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mills gave President Bola Tinubu his letter of credence in July after it was officially announced that he would serve as the United States ambassador to Nigeria on May 2, 2024.
Mills most recently held the position of Deputy US Representative to the UN.
“I am very happy to be here with the instructions of the Secretary of State and President Biden to help encourage Nigeria to step up and speak loudly,” Mills said.
He said that the partnership between both countries was evolving.
According to him, the just-concluded Global Inclusivity and Artificial Intelligence (AI): Africa (GIAA) Conference in Lagos reflected how Nigeria is moving ahead to bring in emerging technologies and recognise her future in the tech space, AI space and creative industries.
“Our bonds together are not just government-to-government. They are people-to-people.
“The connections between Nigerian and American people are deep and strong,” he said.
Mills said he was proud that every year, over 17,000 Nigerian students chose to study in U.S. colleges and universities, adding that yearly, over 400 Nigerians were participating in U.S. Government exchange and fellowship programmes.
“The connections that these Nigerian students and these Nigerian fellows forge with Americans, with higher education institutions, and with American businesses are a lifelong collaboration between our peoples,” the ambassador said.
