US 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 US-Nigeria strategic partnership across security cooperation, protection of Christian communities, justice sector reform, digital transformation, commercial diplomacy, and regional stability.
Assistant Secretary Garcia met with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi; 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.
He 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.
A statement by the US Embassy in Nigeria said Garcia is looking forward to the next meeting of the JWG in Washington, DC this August.
The meeting will assess progress made on these lines of effort.
Discussions with the Attorney General addressed Islamic terrorism prosecutions, criminal accountability, and religious freedom.
With Minister Tijani, talks centred on opportunities for US investment and expanded US private sector engagement in Nigeria’s growing economy.
Assistant Secretary Garcia also met with senior executives from leading US energy and technology companies to discuss the business climate and investment opportunities.
