WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States and Nigeria have intensified security cooperation following high-level talks in Washington focused on protecting Christian communities, combating terrorism and strengthening accountability for perpetrators of violence.

The second session of the U.S.–Nigeria Joint Working Group (JWG) was hosted on August 12, 2026, by U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, with Nigeria’s delegation led by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

The meeting followed the inaugural session of the Joint Working Group held in Abuja on January 22, 2026, as both countries seek to strengthen cooperation over Nigeria’s security challenges and concerns surrounding religious freedom.

According to the U.S. Department of State, discussions centred on three major areas: protecting Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, strengthening judicial and security institutions to ensure perpetrators of violence are held accountable, and expanding military-to-military cooperation between the two countries.

The two delegations also reviewed efforts to resettle internally displaced persons to their ancestral communities, prosecute terrorism suspects and disrupt the financing of terrorist organisations.

Washington acknowledged measures reportedly taken by the Nigerian government, including the prosecution of hundreds of suspects linked to Boko Haram and Islamic State-West Africa, expansion of judicial capacity, and the recruitment and training of 50,000 additional police officers.

However, both countries acknowledged that significant challenges remain, particularly regarding assistance and resettlement for internally displaced persons.

The Joint Working Group also raised concerns over reported civilian deaths and gaps in transparency surrounding humanitarian expenditure, indicating that accountability and civilian protection remain important issues in the bilateral security discussions.

Other areas considered during the talks included cooperation against terrorism financing, biometric information sharing to strengthen accountability, and enhanced law-enforcement capacity through the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and Bureau of Counterterrorism.

The security engagement extended into August 13, with Nigerian and American officials holding further defence discussions at the Pentagon aimed at strengthening military cooperation, intelligence collaboration and operational coordination against security threats.

Hooker also held a separate meeting with Ribadu, during which both officials discussed wider bilateral priorities. The U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to working with Nigeria to protect vulnerable Christian communities and deepen security cooperation.

The Joint Working Group forms part of a broader diplomatic framework established by the two countries following concerns raised by Washington over religious freedom and insecurity in Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu had earlier approved Nigeria’s membership of the bilateral working group, with Ribadu designated to lead the Nigerian team.

The latest talks signal continued efforts by Abuja and Washington to move beyond diplomatic disagreements and strengthen practical cooperation on terrorism, community protection, law enforcement and regional security.

Source: U.S. Department of State