Nigeria and the United States have intensified efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation on security, counterterrorism, and regional stability following high-level meetings between Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and senior U.S. government officials in Washington.
Ribadu, who embarked on a three-day working visit to the United States from May 4 to May 6, conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to deepening Nigeria’s longstanding strategic partnership with the U.S.
During the visit, the NSA met with U.S. 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.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in counterterrorism, defence cooperation, intelligence sharing, regional security, and democratic governance.
According to the statement, Ribadu stressed the need for sustained international cooperation in tackling growing security threats across West Africa and the Sahel.
The NSA “emphasised the importance of sustained cooperation in addressing emerging security challenges confronting West Africa and the broader Sahel region, particularly terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, and cyber threats,” the statement said.
Ribadu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s strategic role in regional security efforts, noting that the country “remains fully committed to working with international partners in promoting peace, stability, democratic governance, and economic development across Africa.”
He further described Nigeria as “a regional leader and frontline state in counterterrorism efforts across the Lake Chad Basin and West Africa.”
The meetings also addressed the evolving security situation in the Sahel and the need for stronger regional cooperation and institutional capacity to tackle asymmetric threats.
At his meeting with Allison Hooker at the U.S. Department of State, Ribadu expressed appreciation for continued American support in areas including security assistance, intelligence collaboration, defence capacity building, humanitarian aid, and counterterrorism operations.
The statement added that Ribadu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing agreements reached under the Nigeria-U.S. Joint Working Group framework designed to strengthen structured bilateral cooperation on strategic and security matters.
Both countries reviewed progress made under the framework and explored additional measures to enhance intelligence sharing, military cooperation, border security, strategic communications, and institutional capacity development for Nigerian security agencies.
Ribadu also briefed U.S. officials on reforms and operational measures introduced by the Tinubu administration to improve national security and stabilise affected communities.
According to him, the Federal Government is pursuing a “whole-of-government approach,” combining kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, including community engagement, economic development, deradicalisation programmes, and regional partnerships.
U.S. officials reportedly commended Nigeria’s leadership role in regional peace and security efforts and acknowledged the country’s importance as a strategic partner of the United States in Africa.
