Fresh details don surface over di high-level meeting between di United States government and di Federal Government of Nigeria concerning Nigeria designation as Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged violation of religious freedom, especially attacks against Christians.
According to a joint statement wey both countries release on Thursday, di first meeting of di US–Nigeria Joint Working Group hold for Abuja on Thursday, January 22, 2026. Di Working Group come after US President Donald Trump designate Nigeria as CPC under di International Religious Freedom Act.
Di statement say di aim of di Working Group na to reduce violence against vulnerable groups, particularly Christian communities, and also ensure say all Nigerians fit practice their religion freely without fear from terrorists, bandits, separatists and criminal militias.
Nigeria delegation for di meeting na di National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, lead am, with representatives from 10 ministries and government agencies. For di US side, di delegation na Under Secretary of State, Allison Hooker, lead am, alongside officials from eight US federal agencies.
Both sides say dem hold strategic discussions on how stronger cooperation between Nigeria and di US fit improve religious freedom and also strengthen security across di country.
Dem also reaffirm di long-standing relationship between both countries, wey dem describe as one wey dey built on pluralism, respect for rule of law and sovereignty.
Di US delegation welcome recent steps wey Nigeria don take to tackle insecurity, especially for North-Central states, where attacks on farming communities and Christians don happen regularly.
According to di statement, both governments restate dia strong commitment to religious freedom and agree say joint and sustained actions dey necessary to protect freedom of religion for everybody, in line with di Nigerian Constitution.
Participants also stress di need to protect civilians, especially vulnerable Christian communities, and ensure say anybody wey carry out violence go face justice.
On security cooperation, both countries agree to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts, including operational collaboration, access to technology, anti-money laundering measures, stopping terrorism financing, and building law enforcement capacity.
Di US team also praise Nigeria for wetin dem call urgent actions to protect at-risk Christian communities and Nigerians of all faiths facing threats from violence.
Dem agree say di next meeting of di Joint Working Group go hold for di United States, with di exact date to be fixed through diplomatic channels.
Recall say on October 31, President Donald Trump designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, citing alleged widespread violence and claims by some advocacy groups of a so-called “Christian genocide” in parts of di country.
