US, Nigeria Hold First Joint Working Group Meeting on Religious Freedom, Security

The United States and Nigeria on Thursday held the first session of the U.S.-Nigeria Joint Working Group in Abuja to address Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern under the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act.

The meeting, which took place on January 22, 2026, followed the designation made by U.S. President Donald J. Trump and marked the formal launch of a bilateral framework aimed at tackling religiously motivated violence and broader insecurity in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, led the Nigerian delegation, which included representatives from 10 ministries and government agencies. The U.S. delegation was headed by Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker and comprised officials from eight federal agencies.

According to a joint statement issued at the end of the session, the Working Group was established “to reduce violence against vulnerable groups in Nigeria, particularly Christians, and to create a conducive atmosphere for all Nigerians to freely practice their faith unimpeded by terrorists, separatists, bandits, and criminal militias.”

Discussions during the session focused on areas where closer U.S.-Nigeria cooperation could strengthen religious freedom and improve security nationwide. Both sides acknowledged the long-standing diplomatic relationship between the two countries, built on “shared values of pluralism, respect for the rule of law, and sovereignty.”

The U.S. delegation welcomed Nigeria’s briefing on recent steps taken to realign security resources to address insecurity, especially in parts of the North Central region. The two governments also reaffirmed what the statement described as a “strong and unflinching commitment” to religious freedom and agreed on the need for sustained joint action to protect fundamental rights.

Participants emphasised the importance of protecting civilians, particularly members of vulnerable Christian communities, and ensuring accountability for perpetrators of violence. The meeting also reinforced commitments to deepen counter-terrorism cooperation through operational collaboration, access to technology, anti-money laundering measures, countering the financing of terrorism, and strengthening law enforcement and investigative capacity.

The U.S. side commended Nigeria for what it described as urgent actions taken to improve security for at-risk Christian communities and Nigerians of all faiths affected by violence and terrorism.

Both governments agreed that the Joint Working Group would continue its engagements, with the next meeting scheduled to hold in the United States at a date to be agreed through diplomatic channels.