By Jane Okafor, Abuja
Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation on security, counterterrorism, regional stability, and strategic partnership following high-level meetings between Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and top U.S. officials in Washington.
During a three-day working visit to the United States from May 4 to May 6, Ribadu conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to Nigeria’s longstanding strategic relationship with the U.S.
The NSA met with U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance, Acting National Security Adviser and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim, according to a release on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s aide on Information and Strategy.
The meetings reviewed the current state of Nigeria–U.S. relations and explored ways to deepen collaboration in counterterrorism, defence cooperation, intelligence sharing, regional security, economic resilience, and democratic governance.
Ribadu stressed the need for sustained international cooperation in tackling emerging security threats across West Africa and the Sahel, particularly terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, and cyber threats.
He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to promoting peace, stability, democratic governance, and economic development across Africa, while underscoring the country’s leadership role in counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin and West Africa.
Discussions also focused on the evolving security situation in the Sahel, enhanced regional cooperation, and the need to strengthen institutional capacity to respond effectively to complex and asymmetric threats.
At a meeting with Allison Hooker at the U.S. Department of State, Ribadu expressed Nigeria’s appreciation for continued American support in areas such as security assistance, intelligence collaboration, defence capacity building, humanitarian support, and counterterrorism operations.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the roadmap under the Nigeria–U.S. Joint Working Group (JWG), established to promote structured bilateral cooperation on strategic and security matters.
Both countries reviewed progress under the JWG framework and discussed measures to strengthen implementation of agreed initiatives, including intelligence sharing, military cooperation, counterterrorism support, border security, strategic communications, and capacity development for Nigerian security institutions.
The talks also highlighted the importance of maintaining regular communication channels and stronger institutional coordination in addressing shared security challenges.
Ribadu further briefed U.S. officials on ongoing reforms and operational measures by the Nigerian government aimed at improving national security, stabilising affected communities, and addressing the root causes of insecurity.
He highlighted the Tinubu administration’s whole-of-government approach, which combines kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, including community engagement, economic development, deradicalisation programmes, and regional partnerships.
U.S. officials commended Nigeria’s leadership role in regional peace and security efforts and described the country as a key strategic partner of the United States in Africa.
Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to democratic values, regional stability, economic cooperation, and the promotion of sustainable peace and security across West Africa and the Sahel.
The meetings ended with a mutual commitment to deepen bilateral engagement through sustained diplomatic dialogue, enhanced defence and security cooperation, and effective implementation of ongoing initiatives under the Joint Working Group framework.
