Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to stronger security and defence cooperation following a series of high-level meetings between Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and senior American officials in Washington, DC.
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 and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also serving as Acting National Security Adviser.
The Nigerian security chief also held discussions with Undersecretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim as part of efforts to deepen bilateral relations between both countries.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Ribadu conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to maintaining a strong strategic partnership with the United States.
During the meetings, Ribadu stressed the importance of sustained international collaboration in tackling emerging security threats facing West Africa and the Sahel, including terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, and transnational organised crime.
The discussions also focused on strengthening intelligence sharing, defence cooperation, economic resilience, and democratic governance between the two nations.
The statement noted that Nigeria reiterated its readiness to continue working closely with global partners to promote peace, regional stability, and economic development across Africa.
Ribadu further highlighted Nigeria’s leadership role in counterterrorism operations across the Lake Chad Basin and other parts of West Africa, describing the country as a frontline state in the regional fight against insurgency and extremism.
At a separate meeting with Hooker at the State Department, Ribadu expressed appreciation for continued US assistance in intelligence collaboration, defence capacity building, security training, and counterterrorism operations.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing agreements reached under the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group framework, established to strengthen structured cooperation on strategic and security matters.
Both countries reviewed progress made under the framework and discussed practical steps to improve collaboration in areas such as border security, military cooperation, strategic communications, intelligence exchange, and institutional capacity development for Nigerian security agencies.
Ribadu also briefed American officials on the Tinubu administration’s security strategy, which combines military operations with non-military measures such as community engagement, economic empowerment programmes, deradicalisation efforts, and regional partnerships.
US officials reportedly commended Nigeria’s growing role in regional peace and security efforts, while acknowledging the country’s strategic importance as a key partner in Africa.
The meetings concluded with both nations pledging to sustain diplomatic engagement and expand defence and security cooperation through the Joint Working Group framework.
