The United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, has embarked on a high-level diplomatic mission to Nigeria, Oman, Bahrain and Italy from January 21 to 29, reinforcing Washington’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships across Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
The multi-nation tour reflects a renewed US focus on advancing security cooperation, expanding economic engagement and promoting accountable multilateral governance at a time of shifting global dynamics. As the fourth-highest-ranking official in the US Department of State, Under Secretary Hooker plays a pivotal role in shaping regional and bilateral foreign policy, and her visit is expected to deliver tangible outcomes across strategic areas of mutual interest.
The first leg of the mission takes Under Secretary Hooker to Abuja, Nigeria, where she is serving as head of delegation for the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, a bilateral platform established to deepen cooperation on shared priorities. Engagements in Abuja will centre on counter-terrorism collaboration, protection of vulnerable communities and the expansion of US investment opportunities in Nigeria’s key economic sectors. Officials indicate that the discussions will also focus on strengthening intelligence sharing, supporting national security reforms and promoting an enabling environment for American businesses seeking long-term investment prospects in Africa’s largest economy. The visit signals Washington’s intention to reinforce its partnership with Nigeria as a cornerstone of regional stability and economic growth in West Africa.
From Abuja, Under Secretary Hooker will travel to Muscat, Oman, and Manama, Bahrain, where she will preside over separate strategic dialogues with senior government counterparts. These high-level engagements are designed to advance cooperation across security, economic and cultural interests, reflecting the United States’ enduring commitment to strong diplomatic and defence partnerships in the Gulf region. The discussions are expected to address maritime security, counter-terrorism coordination, regional stability and opportunities for expanding trade and investment ties. Observers note that this leg of the tour underscores Washington’s determination to maintain reliable alliances in a region central to global energy markets and international security considerations.
The final stage of the mission takes Under Secretary Hooker to Rome, Italy, where she will engage with international counterparts on key global priorities, including the Russia–Ukraine conflict, developments in Venezuela and ongoing peace efforts in the Middle East. Meetings in Rome will focus on coordinating diplomatic approaches to current geopolitical crises and aligning strategies among allies to sustain international stability. In addition to bilateral engagements, Under Secretary Hooker will meet with senior officials from United Nations agencies headquartered in Rome, including the World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Discussions will address accountability and oversight for US-funded humanitarian assistance, ensuring transparency in aid delivery, as well as exploring new agricultural trade opportunities for American farmers in international markets.
US officials describe the tour as a high-impact diplomatic initiative aimed at strengthening alliances, promoting economic diplomacy and reinforcing international cooperation on security and development. By linking bilateral engagements, strategic dialogues and multilateral consultations in a single mission, the United States is signalling a coordinated foreign policy approach that integrates security interests, humanitarian governance and commercial expansion. The visit also reflects Washington’s broader objective of encouraging shared responsibility among partner nations in addressing transnational challenges such as terrorism, migration, food security and energy resilience.
As global competition intensifies and geopolitical uncertainties persist, Under Secretary Hooker’s engagements across Abuja, Muscat, Manama and Rome are expected to lay the groundwork for deeper bilateral cooperation and long-term strategic alignment. From advancing counter-terrorism efforts in West Africa to reinforcing Gulf security partnerships and strengthening oversight of international humanitarian systems, the mission highlights the United States’ proactive stance in shaping a more secure and prosperous international order. With discussions spanning security, trade, governance and diplomacy, the tour is poised to deliver meaningful progress on Washington’s global priorities while strengthening relationships with key partners across three continents.
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