US/NIGERIA FIGHT TERRORISM .
— Sunday Dare,CON (@SundayDareSD) January 22, 2026
# Under Secretary Hooker’s Travel to Nigeria, Oman, Bahrain, and Rome
Media Note
January 21, 2026
Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker will travel to Abuja, Nigeria; Muscat, Oman; Manama, Bahrain; and Rome, Italy from January 21-29.
In Nigeria,…
The United States has intensified diplomatic engagement with Nigeria as Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker arrived in Abuja on Wednesday for a high-level visit aimed at strengthening cooperation on security, investment and humanitarian priorities, with the U.S. State Department stating that the visit, which forms part of a broader diplomatic mission running from January 21 to 29, reflects renewed efforts to deepen ties between Washington and Abuja, as Hooker is set to lead U.S. and Nigerian officials in the newly established U.S.–Nigeria Joint Working Group designed to coordinate bilateral action on counter-terrorism, protection of vulnerable communities and expanded U.S. investment opportunities, with the department noting that “In Nigeria, the Under Secretary will serve as the head of delegation for the U.S.–Nigeria Joint Working Group and will support the administration’s efforts to protect Christian communities, counter terrorism, and expand U.S. investment opportunities,” against the backdrop of persistent security challenges linked to Boko Haram and other violent extremist groups, while officials said discussions would also explore enhanced intelligence sharing and coordinated responses to insecurity, alongside measures to strengthen economic ties through increased U.S. private sector investment and job creation, after which Hooker will proceed to Muscat, Oman, and Manama, Bahrain, for strategic dialogues before concluding the trip in Rome, Italy, with engagements focused on global issues including Ukraine, Venezuela, Middle East peace and accountability for U.S.-funded assistance programmes, as the visit was described as one of the most significant U.S. diplomatic missions to Nigeria in recent months and was confirmed by President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, via his X handle on Thursday.