By Paul Joseph
Nigeria and the United States have strengthened bilateral ties on security, counterterrorism and regional stability following a series of high-level engagements 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 reinforcing 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.
A statement issued on Saturday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the meetings enabled both countries to assess the current state of bilateral relations and expand cooperation in counterterrorism, defence, intelligence sharing, regional security and democratic governance.
According to the statement, Ribadu stressed the importance of sustained international collaboration in addressing growing security threats across West Africa and the Sahel, including terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and cyber threats.
The NSA reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with international partners to promote peace, stability, democratic governance and economic development across Africa. He also highlighted Nigeria’s role as a frontline state in counterterrorism operations within the Lake Chad Basin and the wider West African region.
Discussions during the meetings focused on the evolving security challenges in the Sahel and the need for stronger regional cooperation and institutional capacity to tackle asymmetric threats.
At a separate engagement with Allison Hooker at the U.S. Department of State, Ribadu expressed appreciation for continued American support to Nigeria in areas such as security assistance, intelligence collaboration, defence capacity building, humanitarian support and counterterrorism operations.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing agreements reached under the Nigeria–U.S. Joint Working Group framework established to strengthen structured bilateral cooperation on strategic and security matters.
The statement noted that both countries reviewed progress under the framework and discussed practical measures aimed at enhancing intelligence sharing, military cooperation, border security, strategic communications and institutional capacity development for Nigerian security agencies.
Ribadu further briefed U.S. officials on reforms and operational strategies 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” that combines kinetic and non-kinetic measures, including community engagement, economic development, deradicalisation initiatives and regional partnerships.
U.S. officials commended Nigeria’s leadership role in regional peace and security efforts and acknowledged the country’s strategic importance to the United States in Africa.
Both nations also 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 region.
Leave a Reply