Frank Garcia, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, has requested that the Nigerian authorities bolster protection for Christian groups facing violence. He also emphasized the necessity of helping internally displaced persons return safely to their home regions. These requests were made while Garcia visited Abuja for strategic discussions with top government leaders.
During his visit, Garcia met with several key figures, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the Attorney General, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi; and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The talks touched on security, justice reform, and digital economic growth. While the U.S. official acknowledged Nigeria’s participation in the Joint Working Group, he maintained that the government must dedicate more resources to ensuring religious freedom and the security of displaced civilians.
The Attorney General and Garcia specifically reviewed ways to improve the prosecution of terrorism cases and uphold criminal accountability. In his meeting with Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Garcia focused on potential U.S. investments and private sector expansion within the digital landscape. These meetings highlight a continued effort to strengthen ties between Washington and Abuja across various governance and economic sectors.
