Biden Calls Tinubu On UN Security Council Seats And Release Of Binance Executive
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden expressed his appreciation to Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu for facilitating the release of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, who had been detained in Nigeria for eight months. Biden’s message came during a phone call with Tinubu, where he also emphasized the U.S.’s commitment to supporting two permanent seats for African nations, including Nigeria, on the United Nations Security Council.
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, provided details of the 30-minute call, noting that Biden acknowledged the importance of Nigeria-U.S. collaboration in Gambaryan’s case. Gambaryan, a senior executive at Binance, was detained by Nigerian authorities in early 2024 during a crackdown on cryptocurrency activities, facing money laundering charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which he and Binance have consistently denied. Amid growing diplomatic pressure, a Nigerian Federal High Court dropped the charges, allowing Gambaryan to return to the U.S. for urgent medical care.
Binance’s CEO, Richard Teng, expressed relief at Gambaryan’s release and reiterated Binance’s commitment to regulatory cooperation with Nigeria. During the call, President Tinubu also thanked Biden for ongoing partnership efforts, emphasizing the need for further collaboration on security and stability across West Africa.
Biden confirmed the U.S.’s desire for stronger African representation on the UN Security Council, stating, “The future of the world resides in Africa,” and suggested that Nigeria’s stature and influence make it a fitting candidate. Tinubu echoed these sentiments, affirming Nigeria’s commitment to legal processes and highlighting shared values between Nigeria and the U.S., including Nigeria’s adoption of a democratic governance model inspired by the United States.
Both leaders agreed on the importance of adhering to legal frameworks and pledged to continue communication on matters of mutual interest. The discussion concluded with commitments to ongoing collaboration, with Biden indicating that such partnerships are essential, regardless of any political transitions.
