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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Fresh details have emerged from a high-level engagement between the United States and the Federal Government of Nigeria following Washington’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged breach of religious freedom.
The meeting, which marked the inaugural session of the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, was held in Abuja on Thursday, January 22, 2026, according to a joint statement released by both governments.
The Working Group was constituted after US President Donald Trump formally designated Nigeria a CPC under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing concerns over persistent violence, particularly against Christian communities.
In the joint statement, both countries said the initiative is aimed at “reducing violence against vulnerable groups in Nigeria, particularly Christians, and creating a conducive atmosphere for all Nigerians to freely practice their faith unimpeded by terrorists, separatists, bandits, and criminal militias.”
Nigeria’s delegation to the talks was led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and comprised representatives from 10 ministries and government agencies. The United States team was headed by the Under Secretary of State, Allison Hooker, alongside officials drawn from eight federal agencies.
Both sides engaged in what they described as strategic discussions focused on how enhanced US–Nigeria cooperation could improve religious freedom protections and strengthen nationwide security.
The delegations also reaffirmed the long-standing bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the United States, noting that it remains “grounded in shared values of pluralism, respect for the rule of law, and sovereignty.”
The US delegation acknowledged Nigeria’s recent efforts to address insecurity, especially in the North-Central region, where attacks on farming communities and Christian populations have been recurring.
According to the statement, both governments reiterated their “strong and unflinching commitment to upholding the principles of religious freedom” and agreed on the importance of “joint, active, and sustained measures to promote and protect freedom of religion or belief for all, in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Participants at the meeting also emphasized the urgent need to protect civilians, “particularly members of vulnerable Christian communities,” while ensuring that those responsible for acts of violence are brought to justice.
On security collaboration, the two countries agreed to deepen counter-terrorism cooperation through “operational cooperation, access to technology, anti-money laundering measures, countering the financing of terrorism, and building law enforcement and investigative capacity.”
The US delegation further commended Nigeria for what it termed “urgent actions to strengthen security for at-risk Christian communities and Nigerians of all faiths whose safety is threatened by violence and terrorism.”
It was also agreed that the next session of the Joint Working Group would take place in the United States, with the date to be fixed through diplomatic channels.
President Trump had, on October 31, designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, citing allegations of widespread insecurity and what some advocacy organisations have described as a “Christian genocide” in parts of the country.