US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia has concluded a visit to Nigeria, where he met with senior Nigerian government officials to advance the US-Nigeria strategic partnership across security cooperation.
The meetings also focused on protection of Christian communities, justice sector reform, digital transformation, commercial diplomacy, and regional stability.
Garcia met with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sola Enikanolaiye; Chief of Defense Staff General Olufemi Oluyede; Minister of Justice and Attorney General Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani; and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
In meetings focused on defence and security, he welcomed Nigeria’s increased efforts under the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group (JWG) to address Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern designation.
The US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs also pressed the Nigerians to do more to protect Christians from attacks, and that greater efforts and resources must be allocated to the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes.
“He is looking forward to the next meeting of the JWG in Washington, DC, this August to assess progress made on these lines of effort. Discussions with the Attorney General addressed Islamic terrorism prosecutions, criminal accountability, and religious freedom,” a statement on Thursday partly read.
Talks with the Minister of Communications, Innovation centered on opportunities for US investment and expanded US private sector engagement in Nigeria’s growing economy.
Garcia also met with senior executives from leading US energy and technology companies to discuss the business climate and investment opportunities.
Ribadu said on Monday that discussions with Garcia focused on strengthening the long-standing partnership between Nigeria and the United States, particularly in the area of security cooperation.
The NSA noted that both sides reviewed ongoing engagements under the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group and explored ways of expanding collaboration on shared security concerns.
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According to him, the talks reinforced the commitment of both governments to sustained dialogue and closer cooperation in addressing issues of mutual interest.
“In consolidating the gains of our partnership with the United States, I received a high-level delegation led by the new Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, on his first official visit to Nigeria since assuming office,” Ribadu had written on X.
“My meeting with them strengthened the strong and enduring Nigeria–US partnership and assessed progress under the Joint Working Group, restating our shared commitment to deeper dialogue, cooperation and mutual security priorities.”
