Top US Envoy Visits Nigeria, Today

Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs María Otero will visit Nigeria next week, the U.S State Department has said.

Otero, who is visiting Nigeria for the third time since May 2010, would meet with senior Nigeria officials and the civil society to discuss the promotion of democratic institutions and processes.

During her visit from today to Thursday she would also hold discussions on Nigeria’s role in regional affairs and global issues related to peace, security and stability.

According to the State Department, Otero will use the occasion of her visit to meet with stakeholders and discuss efforts toward creating an environment for transparent and credible general elections in Nigeria in April.

She would also meet with the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to discuss the organisation’s work within the region and address greater youth participation in civil society and democratic processes.

Otero and representatives of the Northern Governors Forum are scheduled to discuss conflict resolution efforts to address sectarian violence, which has taken a negative toll on socio-economic activities in some parts of the country.