FRI AUG 14 2026-theGBJournal| The U.S. Mission in Nigeria said Thursday that Washington and Abuja have stepped up cooperation on protecting Christian communities, countering terrorism and strengthening Nigeria’s security and judicial institutions.
The statement followed the second session of the U.S.-Nigeria Joint Working Group, held in Washington on Wednesday and led by U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
The U.S. Mission said discussions focused on the protection of Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, accountability for perpetrators of violence and military-to-military cooperation.
The two sides also reviewed progress on returning internally displaced people to their ancestral homes, terrorism prosecutions and efforts to combat the financing of terrorism.
Washington acknowledged Nigeria’s reported progress, including the prosecution of hundreds of Boko Haram and Islamic State-West Africa suspects, expanded judicial capacity and the recruitment and training of 50,000 additional police officers.
But the U.S. Mission said challenges remained, including reports of civilian fatalities and gaps in transparency over humanitarian spending.
The talks come as Washington continues to engage Nigeria over its designation as a Country of Particular Concern, with the U.S. saying more work is needed to protect vulnerable communities and strengthen accountability.
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