During a meeting with U.S. Presidential Envoy and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Molly Phee, at the presidential villa in Abuja, Tinubu asserted that the internal crisis in Niger would not hinder his determined pursuit of successful economic reforms for the betterment of Nigerians. He asserted his independence from external influences and outlined his approach to addressing the regional standoff within the framework of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).