Details of a high-level meeting between the United States and the Federal Government over Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern, CPC, have emerged.
US President Donald Trump has designated Nigeria as a CPC over alleged violation of religious freedom, especially against Christians.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday after the meeting, the Nigerian and US governments said the first session of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group was held in Abuja on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
The Working Group was set up after Trump designated Nigeria a CPC under the International Religious Freedom Act.
According to the statement, the Working Group aims 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”.
Nigeria’s delegation was led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and included representatives of 10 ministries and agencies, while the US team was headed by Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker, alongside officials from eight federal agencies.
The two sides held what they described as “strategic discussions” on how deeper US-Nigeria cooperation could improve religious freedom and strengthen security nationwide”.
They also reaffirmed the long-standing bilateral relationship between both countries, which they said is “grounded in shared values of pluralism, respect for the rule of law, and sovereignty”.
The US delegation welcomed Nigeria’s recent steps to tackle insecurity, particularly in the North-Central states, where attacks on farming and Christian communities have been frequent.
Both governments, the statement said, reiterated their “strong and unflinching commitment to upholding the principles of religious freedom” and agreed on the need for “joint, active, and sustained measures to promote and protect freedom of religion or belief for all, in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Participants further stressed the need to protect civilians, “particularly members of vulnerable Christian communities,” while ensuring that perpetrators of violence are held accountable.
On security cooperation, both sides agreed to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts through “operational cooperation, access to technology, anti-money laundering measures, countering the financing of terrorism, and building law enforcement and investigative capacity”.
The US delegation also commended Nigeria for what it described as “urgent actions to strengthen security for at-risk Christian communities and Nigerians of all faiths whose safety is threatened by violence and terrorism”.
It was agreed that the next meeting of the Joint Working Group would be held in the United States at a date to be determined through diplomatic channels.
Recall that on October 31, US President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, citing allegations of widespread violence and what some advocacy groups describe as a “Christian genocide” in parts of the country.
