The Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) has formally requested that the United States decline to extend its cultural property agreement with Nigeria. Representing the group, Prime Minister Ogechukwu Nkere voiced concerns during a hearing held by the US State Department’s Cultural Property Advisory Committee, citing alleged mistreatment of Christians and pro-Biafra factions by the Nigerian government.
Nkere emphasized that the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the import of archaeological and ethnological items should remain suspended until Nigeria addresses these humanitarian grievances. He pointed to the US government’s own classification of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern as evidence for his position. According to Nkere, such agreements are privileges that should be contingent upon a nation aligning with American human rights standards.
The group noted that this appearance marked a significant milestone, as it was the first instance of a leader advocating for Biafran independence testifying before the advisory committee. This appeal surfaces during a period of heightened scrutiny surrounding US-Nigeria relations, which includes recent speculation regarding correspondence between President Donald Trump and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Figures such as Timi Frank, a former official of the All Progressives Congress, have since called for greater transparency regarding these diplomatic communications.
