The United States-Nigeria joint working group is holding a fresh round of talks in Washington DC, with security cooperation and counterterrorism measures featuring prominently on the agenda.
National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, led the Nigerian delegation at Wednesday’s meeting, while Allison Hooker, US Under-Secretary of State, headed the American team.
Among the Nigerian officials attending the meeting are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the agenda for the meeting, discussions include counterterrorism efforts, progress made in bilateral cooperation and the next steps required to strengthen collaboration between both countries.
A bilateral defence meeting between Nigeria and the US is also scheduled to take place on Thursday.
The joint working group was established following the decision by US President Donald Trump to redesignate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” (CPC).
The two countries previously held the inaugural meeting of the group in Abuja in January as part of efforts to deepen cooperation on security and other areas of mutual interest.
Both governments have reiterated their commitment to protecting religious freedom and advancing fundamental rights in Nigeria, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and freedom of religion or belief.
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