A high-level delegation of senior United States officials has begun a significant diplomatic mission to Nigeria as part of a broader tour of Africa, the Middle East and Europe, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation on security, counterterrorism and economic ties.
The delegation is led by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, who will also serve as head of the U.S.–Nigeria Joint Working Group, a newly established platform for coordinating cooperation between Washington and Abuja.
According to a State Department statement, while in Nigeria, the delegation will engage directly with Nigerian government officials to discuss protection of vulnerable communities, including Christian populations, expand efforts to counter terrorism, and explore opportunities for increased U.S. investment in the country.
The visit is part of a week-long diplomatic tour running from January 21 to 29, during which the delegation will also visit Oman, Bahrain and Italy to pursue talks on regional security, economic cooperation and broader foreign policy priorities.
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In Oman and Bahrain, Under Secretary Hooker will lead strategic dialogues to deepen cooperation across security, economic and cultural spheres. The mission’s final stop in Rome will include discussions with Italian officials on global issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war, tensions in the Middle East and challenges in Venezuela. In addition, U.S. representatives will engage with United Nations agencies, including the World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization on humanitarian aid and agricultural trade opportunities.
The diplomatic push comes amid heightened U.S.–Nigeria engagement on security issues following the formation of the U.S.–Nigeria Joint Working Group. The group was established after recent high-level meetings in Washington aimed at enhancing intelligence cooperation, accelerating defence support and improving civilian protection measures against armed groups.
The Nigerian government has welcomed increased cooperation, while emphasising that security challenges across the country affect communities of all religious and ethnic backgrounds. Abuja has also sought to counter narratives framing violence exclusively as anti-Christian persecution — a topic that has featured prominently in U.S. political discourse.
As the delegation begins its programme in Abuja, policymakers in both countries will be watching closely to see how this visit shapes future collaboration on security, investment and regional stability.
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