Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation on security, counterterrorism and regional stability following a series of high-level meetings between Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and senior officials of the U.S. government in Washington.
The engagements formed part of a three-day working visit undertaken by Ribadu to the United States from May 4 to May 6, 2026, during which he conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to deepening Nigeria’s longstanding strategic relationship with the United States.
According to a statement issued on Friday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the meetings focused on expanding collaboration in areas such as counterterrorism, defence cooperation, intelligence sharing, democratic governance, regional security and economic resilience.
During the visit, Ribadu met with U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance, Acting National Security Adviser and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Undersecretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim.
The discussions provided an opportunity for both countries to review the current state of Nigeria–United States relations and assess ongoing security cooperation amid growing threats across West Africa and the Sahel region.
Ribadu stressed the importance of sustained international cooperation in tackling terrorism, violent extremism, cyber threats and transnational organised crime, which continue to threaten stability across the region.
“The evolving security challenges confronting West Africa and the broader Sahel region require stronger collaboration among strategic partners,” the NSA was quoted as saying during the engagements.
He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to promoting peace, democratic governance and economic development across Africa, while highlighting the country’s role as a frontline state in counterterrorism operations within the Lake Chad Basin and the wider West African sub-region.
The meetings also examined the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel and the need for stronger regional and institutional responses to complex security threats.
During talks with Allison Hooker at the U.S. Department of State, Ribadu expressed appreciation to the American government for its continued support to Nigeria in the areas of defence assistance, intelligence cooperation, humanitarian intervention and counterterrorism operations.
He further reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to fully implement the agreed roadmap under the Nigeria–United States Joint Working Group, JWG, a bilateral framework established to strengthen strategic and security cooperation between both countries.
According to the statement, both sides reviewed progress already recorded under the JWG framework and discussed practical measures aimed at enhancing intelligence sharing, military collaboration, border security, strategic communication and institutional capacity building for Nigerian security agencies.
The discussions also underscored the importance of maintaining regular diplomatic and security communication channels between Abuja and Washington in order to effectively respond to emerging threats.
Ribadu used the opportunity to brief U.S. officials on ongoing reforms and operational measures being implemented by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improve national security and stabilise communities affected by insecurity.
According to him, the Nigerian government is pursuing a “whole-of-government approach” that combines military operations with non-kinetic measures such as community engagement, economic empowerment, deradicalisation programmes and regional partnerships.
U.S. officials reportedly commended Nigeria’s leadership role in regional peace and security efforts, describing the country as a key strategic partner of the United States in Africa.
Both countries also reaffirmed their shared commitment to democratic values, regional stability, sustainable peace and economic cooperation across West Africa and the Sahel.
The meetings concluded with both sides expressing optimism about the future of Nigeria–United States relations and pledging to deepen bilateral engagement through sustained diplomatic dialogue and enhanced defence and security cooperation.
The statement added that both governments remain committed to advancing shared strategic interests and addressing common global and regional challenges through continued collaboration under the Joint Working Group framework.
