Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation on security, counterterrorism and regional stability following a series of high-level meetings between Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and top U.S. officials in Washington.
Ribadu, who was on a three-day working visit to the United States from May 4 to May 6, conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s strategic partnership with the U.S.
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.
According to a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on Friday, the discussions focused on counterterrorism, defence cooperation, intelligence sharing, democratic governance, economic resilience and regional security.
“The meetings provided an opportunity for both sides to review the current state of Nigeria–United States relations and to further strengthen ongoing collaboration in counterterrorism, defence cooperation, intelligence sharing, regional security, economic resilience, and democratic governance,” the statement said.
Ribadu stressed the need for sustained international cooperation in tackling emerging security threats across West Africa and the Sahel, including terrorism, violent extremism, organised crime and cyber threats.
“The NSA noted that Nigeria remains fully committed to working with international partners in promoting peace, stability, democratic governance, and economic development across Africa,” the statement added.
The NSA also highlighted Nigeria’s leadership role in counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin and West Africa, while discussions examined the evolving security challenges in the Sahel and the need for stronger regional collaboration.
During talks at the U.S. Department of State, Ribadu expressed appreciation for American support in areas including intelligence collaboration, defence capacity building, humanitarian assistance and counterterrorism operations.
“He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the agreed roadmap under the Nigeria–U.S. Joint Working Group,” the statement noted.
Both countries reviewed progress under the Joint Working Group framework and discussed measures to improve intelligence sharing, military cooperation, border security, strategic communications and institutional capacity development.
Ribadu also briefed U.S. officials on the Tinubu administration’s ongoing security reforms and efforts to address the root causes of insecurity through a combination of military operations, community engagement, economic development and deradicalisation programmes.
U.S. officials commended Nigeria’s leadership role in regional peace and security efforts and reaffirmed America’s commitment to supporting Nigeria as a strategic partner 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 statement added.
The meetings ended with both countries pledging to deepen diplomatic engagement and expand bilateral defence and security cooperation under the Joint Working Group framework.