President Joe Biden expressed his gratitude to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for the recent release of Tigran Gambaryan, a senior executive at cryptocurrency exchange Binance.
The announcement came following a 30-minute phone call between the two leaders on Tuesday, October 29, afternoon.
During the call, Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, briefed reporters on the exchange, revealing that President Biden thanked President Tinubu for the partnership between the two nations, particularly in facilitating Gambaryan’s release.
“The two leaders exchanged pleasantries, and President Biden proceeded to thank President Tinubu for his partnership and for Nigeria’s collaboration in this matter,” Tuggar stated.
Gambaryan, an American citizen, was released from detention on Monday after eight months of custody in Nigeria.
His family confirmed his return, stating, “Today, Tigran Gambaryan left Nigeria to return home to his family after 8 months of unlawful detention.”
The senior Binance executive had been detained since early 2024 as part of a Nigerian government crackdown on cryptocurrency operations, facing money laundering charges that both he and Binance have denied.
His prolonged detention raised international concerns, particularly as his health reportedly deteriorated during his time at Kuje Prison. U.S. diplomats and lawmakers advocated for his release, citing his declining health and the necessity for transparent legal processes. Despite multiple bail applications, Gambaryan remained in custody until an Abuja Federal High Court dismissed the money laundering charges, enabling his return to the U.S. for urgent medical care.
Following Gambaryan’s release, Binance CEO Richard Teng expressed relief, underscoring the company’s commitment to regulatory cooperation in Nigeria. In response to President Biden’s gratitude, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and the U.S., particularly in enhancing security across West Africa.
Biden reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to strengthening its partnership with Nigeria, stating, “The future of the world resides in Africa, which is why it is important for this partnership to continue.”
The two leaders also discussed Nigeria’s potential for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, with Biden asserting the U.S. support for Africa’s representation, particularly Nigeria’s significant role on the continent.
Tuggar noted, “President Biden assured that the United States is committed to seeing Africa having two permanent seats in the UN Security Council. He reiterated that he does not see any reason why one of those seats should not belong to Nigeria.”
The discussion further highlighted the shared values and legal frameworks between the two nations, with Tinubu stressing Nigeria’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Both leaders concluded their conversation with a pledge to maintain open lines of communication as Biden’s term approaches its conclusion in January 2025.
