Nigeria and the United States have moved to strengthen bilateral cooperation on security, counterterrorism, intelligence sharing and regional stability following high-level meetings between National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and senior American officials in Washington.
Ribadu undertook a three-day working visit to the United States from May 4 to May 6, where he met with US Vice President J.D. Vance, Acting National Security Adviser and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Undersecretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim.
According to a statement issued on Friday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the meetings focused on deepening strategic cooperation between both countries across defence, intelligence, counterterrorism, regional security, economic resilience and democratic governance.
Ribadu conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s longstanding strategic relationship with the United States.
The NSA stressed the importance of sustained collaboration in tackling terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and cyber threats across West Africa and the Sahel region.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to promoting peace, stability, democratic governance and economic development across Africa.
Ribadu highlighted Nigeria’s role as a frontline state in counterterrorism operations within the Lake Chad Basin and the wider West African region.
Discussions during the meetings also focused on the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel and the need for stronger regional cooperation to confront asymmetric security threats.
During talks with Undersecretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker at the US Department of State, Ribadu expressed appreciation for continued American support in security assistance, intelligence cooperation, defence capacity building and humanitarian interventions.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing agreements reached under the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group (JWG), established to strengthen structured bilateral cooperation on strategic and security matters.
Both countries reviewed progress under the JWG framework and discussed measures to expand intelligence sharing, military cooperation, border security, strategic communications and institutional capacity development.
The NSA also briefed US officials on ongoing reforms and operational strategies introduced by the Nigerian government to address insecurity and stabilise affected communities.
According to the statement, Ribadu highlighted the Tinubu administration’s “whole-of-government” approach, which combines military operations with community engagement, economic development, deradicalisation programmes and regional partnerships.
US officials reportedly commended Nigeria’s leadership role in regional peace and security efforts and reaffirmed Washington’s recognition of Nigeria as a key strategic partner in Africa.
Both countries also reaffirmed commitments to democratic governance, regional stability, economic cooperation and sustainable peace across West Africa and the Sahel.
The meetings ended with both sides pledging to deepen diplomatic engagement, strengthen defence cooperation and ensure effective implementation of agreements reached under the Joint Working Group framework.
