RismadarVoice Reporters
May 9, 2026
Nigeria and the United States have moved to deepen bilateral security cooperation following a series of high-level meetings in Washington involving Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and senior American officials.
Ribadu undertook a three-day working visit to the United States from May 4 to 6, where discussions focused on counterterrorism operations, defence collaboration, intelligence sharing, and broader regional security challenges across West Africa and the Sahel.
During the visit, he met with US Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves in an acting capacity as National Security Adviser. Additional engagements included talks with Undersecretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim.
According to a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Ribadu conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening strategic relations between both countries, particularly in addressing evolving security threats.
The discussions reportedly centred on terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, cyber threats, and the stability of the wider West African region. Both delegations also reviewed ongoing cooperation frameworks and explored ways to enhance operational coordination.
Ribadu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working closely with international partners in promoting peace, stability, and democratic governance across Africa. He also highlighted Nigeria’s role as a frontline state in counterterrorism efforts within the Lake Chad Basin and surrounding regions.
At a separate meeting at the US State Department, Ribadu expressed appreciation for continued American support in areas including intelligence collaboration, defence training, and counterterrorism assistance. He reiterated Nigeria’s determination to implement agreements reached under the Nigeria–US Joint Working Group, a platform established to coordinate structured security and strategic cooperation.
Both sides reviewed progress under the framework and discussed practical steps to improve implementation, including enhanced intelligence sharing, military coordination, border security measures, strategic communication, and capacity building for Nigerian security institutions.
Ribadu also outlined Nigeria’s evolving national security strategy, describing a blended approach that combines military operations with non-kinetic interventions such as community engagement, economic development programmes, deradicalisation initiatives, and regional partnerships.
US officials reportedly commended Nigeria’s role in promoting stability in West Africa and acknowledged its strategic importance as a key security partner on the African continent.
The meetings ended with both countries reaffirming their commitment to sustained diplomatic engagement and deeper defence cooperation under existing bilateral frameworks.
