Nigeria and the United States have agreed to deepen cooperation on security, counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and regional stability following high-level talks in Washington involving Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Ribadu, who was on a three-day working visit to the United States from May 4 to 6, held meetings with senior U.S. officials including Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio (who also serves as Acting National Security Adviser), Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Assistant Secretary Daniel Zimmerim.
According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the discussions focused on strengthening the Nigeria–U.S. strategic partnership, particularly in areas of counterterrorism operations, defence cooperation, intelligence sharing, economic resilience, and democratic governance.
Ribadu conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to sustaining and expanding Nigeria’s longstanding relationship with the United States, while also highlighting Nigeria’s role in promoting peace and security across West Africa and the Sahel region.
He stressed the need for enhanced collaboration to tackle terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, and cyber threats, describing Nigeria as a frontline state in regional counterterrorism efforts, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin.
The NSA also reviewed progress under the Nigeria–U.S. Joint Working Group (JWG), which was established to coordinate structured bilateral cooperation on security and strategic issues. Both sides discussed steps to improve intelligence sharing, military coordination, border security, and capacity building for Nigerian security agencies.
Ribadu further briefed U.S. officials on Nigeria’s ongoing security reforms, including a combination of military operations and non-kinetic measures such as community engagement, deradicalisation programmes, and economic development initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity.
U.S. officials commended Nigeria’s leadership role in regional peace efforts and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s security and development priorities.
Both countries expressed optimism about the future of their strategic partnership and pledged to sustain diplomatic engagement and strengthen cooperation in addressing shared global and regional challenges.
