The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken yesterday took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of American Corner Lekki, Lagos.
Africa Today News, New York understands that this is the latest addition to the United States’ global American Spaces network that comprises more than 600 cultural and information centers in more than 140 countries in every geographic region worldwide.
A statement issued by the Office of the Spokesman, U.S. Department of State, said this year, American Corners, supported by local partners and part of the American Spaces network, celebrated its 20th anniversary and continued to expand its global footprint as a vital part of the United States’ people-to-people engagement strategy to expand access to education, economic opportunity and equity, and societal inclusion.
“American Corner Lekki represents the future of the American Spaces network, providing local communities easy access to programming and resources on U.S. culture, English-language learning opportunities, internet service, as well as advising services for study in the United States, skills and professional development programs and trainings.
“In 2023, the American Spaces network — which includes American Centers, American Corners, and Binational Centers — reached over 41 million people worldwide through nearly 1.5 million engagement programs and opportunities,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the Department’s American Spaces network in Africa consists of 172 American Spaces in 52 countries, saying that in 2023 alone, the American Spaces network in Africa hosted approximately 20,000 in-person and virtual programmes, reaching more than 1.6 million participants across the continent.
It added that Nigeria’s network of American Spaces includes two American Centers, located in Abuja and Lagos, and 10 American Corners located in universities, libraries, and community centers across the country.
Recall that Blinken had earlier assured that the country’s companies are ready to partner with and invest in the Nigerian economy.
Blinken, who is currently on an African tour, made the remark in Abuja during his visit to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.