President Bola Tinubu has extended his condolences to the government and people of the United States of America on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, who died at the age of 100.

A statement by the Carter Centre said the Nobel peace laureate who rose from humble beginnings in rural Georgia to lead the US from 1977 to 1981, died “peacefully” at his home in Plains, “surrounded by his family.”

President Tinubu said Carter showed the world how to remain relevant and impactful after leaving the esteemed position of President of the United States.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement that Carter tackled the challenges the developing world faced, from combating diseases to mediating conflicts and promoting democratic values. 

He lauded Carter’s significant contributions through the Carter Centre, particularly his efforts in eradicating Guinea worm disease and river blindness in Nigeria, which have significantly improved the lives of many Nigerians.

Reflecting on Nigeria-U.S. relations, Tinubu recalled Carter’s historic visit to Nigeria in March 1978 and his three-day stay at the State House in Marina, Lagos State. Under Carter’s leadership, this visit marked a pivotal moment in US foreign policy. It laid the groundwork for a pragmatic relationship between the United States and Africa, with Nigeria at its heart.

President Tinubu expressed hope that President Carter’s legacy of decency, character, and humanity, both in and out of office, will continue to inspire Americans and leaders worldwide to embrace the true essence of leadership,” it added.