US officials to visit Nigeria over killings/abductions

News Update

Allison Hooker, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, United States, has arrived in Abuja this week to kick off a diplomatic tour aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and addressing pressing global challenges.

Hooker is visiting Nigeria, Oman, Bahrain, and Italy from January 21 to 29 on a mission that signals renewed U.S. engagement across security, economic, and humanitarian fronts.

According to a statement by the US Embassy in Nigeria, Hooker is leading the American delegation and will chair the U.S.–Nigeria Joint Working Group, a new platform established to coordinate cooperation between the two countries.

The U.S. State Department says the talks in Abuja will support U.S. efforts to protect Christian communities, enhance counter-terrorism cooperation, and explore ways to expand U.S. investment opportunities in Nigeria’s economy.

The statement noted that the Joint Working Group, established after talks in Washington late last year, is designed to strengthen security cooperation and intelligence sharing to counter violent extremist groups across West Africa.

Nigeria has faced international scrutiny over violence affecting religious communities, and these discussions come at a time when diplomatic relations with the U.S. are under particular attention.

“After Nigeria, Hooker’s tour moves to Muscat, Oman, and Manama, Bahrain, where she will preside over separate strategic dialogues with host governments.

“These engagements will cover a broad range of shared interests, including regional security cooperation, economic ties, and cultural exchange, reflecting U.S. efforts to strengthen partnerships across the Gulf region.

“The final leg of the trip will take Hooker to Rome, Italy, where she will meet with Italian counterparts on several global priorities, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, efforts to address the situation in Venezuela, and efforts to advance peace in the Middle East”, the statement read.

MESSAGE us @ https://Wa.me/+2348072633727 for business relationship, Advert, PR, Publicity, Awareness, Interviews, Feature Stories, Press Release/Statement and so on…

In Rome, Hooker is also scheduled to engage with senior officials from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Discussions will focus on accountability for U.S.-funded assistance efforts and new agricultural trade opportunities aimed at benefiting American farmers.

The Embassy noted that the trip marks one of the first major foreign missions by Under Secretary Hooker since her appointment to the role in mid-2025.