Nigeria, US advance partnership on security, justice reform

By Ochiaka Ugwu

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia has met with senior Nigerian government officials to advance the U.S.-Nigeria strategic partnership across security cooperation, protection of Christian communities, justice sector reform, digital transformation, commercial diplomacy, and regional stability.
In a press statement released Wednesday by U.S. Department of State, it noted that U.S. 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 U.S.-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 Defense Staff General Olufemi Oluyede; Minister of Justice and Attorney General Chief Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi; Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani; and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
“In meetings focused on defense and security, he welcomed Nigeria’s increased efforts under the U.S.-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. He is looking forward to the next meeting of the JWG in Washington, DC this August to 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 centered on opportunities for U.S. investment and expanded U.S. private sector engagement in Nigeria’s growing economy.
“Assistant Secretary Garcia also met with senior executives from leading U.S. energy and technology companies to discuss the business climate and investment opportunities” the statement concluded.