U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to put Nigeria on a blacklist for religious freedom violations has sparked high-level talks between Abuja and Washington ¡ª but what they can agree on remains to be seen.

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.