U.S. Urges Nigeria to Protect Christians Amid Rising Attacks

During a visit to Abuja, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia urged Nigeria to intensify efforts to protect Christian communities facing increased attacks.

The meeting involved top Nigerian officials, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sola Enikanolaiy, Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede, Attorney General Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani. The discussions focused on advancing U.S.-Nigeria strategic partnerships in security cooperation, justice sector reform, and digital transformation.

Garcia welcomed Nigeria's increased efforts through the U.S.-Nigeria Joint Working Group to address the country’s designation as a particular concern regarding religious freedom. He emphasized the need for greater resource allocation to ensure the safe return of internally displaced persons.

The next meeting of the Joint Working Group is scheduled for August in Washington D.C., where progress on agreed areas of cooperation will be assessed. Garcia also met with U.S. energy technology executives to discuss investment prospects in Nigeria's business environment.