US Deputy Secretary Frank Garcia concludes visit to Nigeria

U.S. Under 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 through security cooperation, protection of Christian communities, judiciary reform, digital transformation, trade diplomacy and regional stability.

Wednesday, reads a press release from the American Mission

Undersecretary Garcia met with the Minister of 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 Advisor (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

According to the statement, “in meetings focused on defense and security, welcomed Nigeria’s increased efforts under the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group (JWG) to address Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern.

“He also urged Nigerians to do more to protect Christians from attacks and to call for greater efforts and resources to be devoted to the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes. He looks forward to the next meeting of the JWG in Washington, DC this August, to assess progress made on these lines of effort.

“The discussions with the Attorney General concerned prosecutions for Islamic terrorism, criminal liability and religious freedom.”

It further states that “with Minister Tijani, discussions focused on opportunities for U.S. investment and expanding U.S. private sector engagement in Nigeria’s growing economy.

“Deputy Secretary Garcia also met with senior executives from major U.S. energy and technology companies to discuss the economic climate and investment opportunities.”