Nigeria’s push for stronger international security ties took a notable turn as Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, hosted U.S. AFRICOM’s Director for Strategy, Engagement, and Programs, Major General Garrick Harmon, in Abuja. It marked Harmon’s first official visit to Nigeria in this role.
In the course of their meeting, Matawalle urged the United States to deepen its involvement in Nigeria’s security efforts through “enhanced intelligence sharing, counterterrorism assistance, and military capacity building.”
According to a statement signed by Patience Ituke on behalf of the Director of Information and Public Relations, the minister stressed the need for technical training, logistics support, and equipment upgrades to bolster the country’s fight against terrorism.
Matawalle made a strong case for partnership: “Nigeria is dedicated to promoting regional peace and security; however, we cannot achieve this alone.”
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He followed up with a direct appeal: “We require more robust support from the United States, particularly in intelligence sharing and capacity building, to effectively combat terrorism, insurgency, and transnational threats.”
General Harmon welcomed the call for stronger ties. While reflecting on his engagements, he said, “Despite the brief duration of my visit, the engagements in Nigeria have been highly productive and highlight the strength of the existing partnership between the two nations.”
Both parties reaffirmed their shared interest in security cooperation and agreed that a deeper alliance was essential to addressing rising threats across West Africa.