The United States-Nigeria joint working group is meeting in Washington, DC, with counterterrorism cooperation, security progress and future bilateral measures among issues under consideration.

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, is leading the Nigerian delegation at the Wednesday meeting, while Allison Hooker, Under-Secretary of State, heads the US delegation.

Also attending are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

According to the meeting’s agenda, the two countries are reviewing counterterrorism measures, assessing progress made in their security cooperation and discussing the next steps for strengthening the bilateral partnership.

A bilateral defence meeting between the United States and Nigeria is expected to hold on Thursday as part of the ongoing engagements.

The working group was established following the redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) by US President Donald Trump.

Its inaugural meeting was held in Abuja in January, providing a platform for both countries to deepen discussions on security, counterterrorism and religious freedom.

The United States and Nigeria have also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting religious freedom and taking active and sustained measures to safeguard freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and freedom of religion or belief for all Nigerians.