United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to visit Nigeria next week to highlight the American government’s food, climate, and security partnership. 

Although Nigeria is one of the four countries listed for Mr Blinkin’s visit between January 21 and 26, during his diplomatic mission 

Others include Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire and Angola. 

According to a statement by the U.S. Mission in Abuja on Thursday, Mr Blinken would highlight how the United States has accelerated the U.S.-Africa partnership since the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, including in areas such as climate, food, health, and security.  

The statement said, “He will also emphasise our future-focused economic partnership and how the United States is investing in infrastructure in Africa to boost two-way trade, create jobs at home and on the continent, and help Africa compete in the global marketplace.

“Additionally, the Secretary will advance security partnerships based on shared values such as respect for human rights, promotion of democracy, and expansion of the rule of law.”

It added, “He will reaffirm U.S. commitment to our coastal West African partners through the Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability, U.S. partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to address regional challenges, and U.S. efforts to support African leadership in de-escalating tensions and adopting diplomatic solutions to the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.” 

Mr Blinken’s visit to Nigeria is coming less than a week after human rights organisations in the U.S. mounted pressure on President Joe Biden to designate it as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for the murder of hundreds of Christians in the last couple of months. 

No less than 24 interest organisations, which included religious groups, forwarded a letter to Mr Blinken, for the U.S. to designate Nigeria as a CPC.