The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Terence McCulley, has debunked claims that the US government predicted Nigeria’s break up by 2015.

Rather, he said that the US government is very optimistic about Nigeria’s future despite its many challenges.

The ambassador made this clarification during a roundtable discussion with journalists at the American Corner, Jericho, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Thursday.

McCulley said the prediction, commonly ascribed to the US government, was made by US citizens, who had either served in Nigeria at one time or the other, or US-based analysts speaking in their capacity as private individuals.

“No US government or agency has predicted that Nigeria will break up by 2015.

“We have been very impressed with Nigeria’s leadership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union.

“If the US had believed that Nigeria would break up by 2015, it would not have involved itself in the developmental programmes, aids and grants to the country.

“The United States considers Nigeria its most strategic partner in Africa, and I’m very optimistic about Nigeria’s future,’’ the US ambassador to Nigeria said.

McCulley also revealed that the US government had been horrified with the terror situation in Nigeria, especially with the level of recent attacks in Maiduguri, Bauchi and Kano.

“But the US is prepared to help Nigeria in tackling the security challenges.

“Nigerians should shun extremist ideologies while government should create and enabling environment and create jobs,” MC Culley added.

The ambassador further observed that corruption was a serious challenge that the Nigerian government should tackle, since it creates gaps between the government and the governed.

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