As US pressures Nigeria over Christians, what does Washington want?

Since Nigeria was labeled last year as a "Country of Particular Concern," a State Department designation that opens the door for sanctions, a "joint working group" has been set up, with talks held in Abuja in January led by Allison Hooker, the number three at the State Department. A high-ranking Nigerian delegation came to the United States in 2025, and First Lady Remi Tinubu met with lawmakers earlier this month. "Our two countries have made tremendous strides" in protecting "vulnerable communities here in Nigeria," Hooker said.