U.S. assistant secretary of state for African affairs Frank Garcia concluded a visit to Abuja, where he met with senior Nigerian government officials to advance the U.S.-Nigeria strategic partnership across security cooperation, protection of Christian communities, justice sector reform, digital transformation, commercial diplomacy, and regional stability.  

Mr Garcia met with deputy foreign affairs minister Sola Enikanolaiye, defence chief Olufemi Oluyede, justice minister Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, communications minister Bosun Tijani, and NSA Nuhu Ribadu, according to a statement by the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday.

In meetings focused on defence and security, he welcomed Nigeria’s increased efforts under the U.S.-Nigeria Joint Working Group to address Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern designation.  

The American envoy also pressed the administration of President Bola Tinubu 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 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,” noted the statement. “Discussions with the attorney general addressed Islamic terrorism prosecutions, criminal accountability, and religious freedom.”

With Mr Tijani, talks centred on opportunities for U.S. investment and expanded U.S. private sector engagement in Nigeria’s growing economy.  

Mr Garcia also met with senior executives from leading U.S. energy and technology companies to discuss the business climate and investment opportunities.