Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation on security, counterterrorism, regional stability and strategic partnership following a high-level diplomatic engagement in Washington, D.C.
The development was disclosed in a State House press release issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, undertook a three-day working visit to the United States from May 4 to May 6, where he met with top U.S. government officials to reinforce strategic ties between both nations.
During the visit, Ribadu held separate meetings 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.
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in counterterrorism operations, defence collaboration, intelligence sharing, border security, democratic governance, economic resilience and regional peace efforts.
Ribadu conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to sustaining Nigeria’s longstanding strategic relationship with the United States, stressing the importance of joint action against growing security threats across West Africa and the Sahel region.
The NSA highlighted Nigeria’s frontline role in counterterrorism operations within the Lake Chad Basin and broader West African sub-region, noting that terrorism, violent extremism, cyber threats and transnational organised crime continue to pose serious risks to regional stability.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to work with international partners to promote in peace, democratic governance and economic development across Africa.
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A major aspect of the discussions centred on the implementation of agreements under the Nigeria–U.S. Joint Working Group framework established to coordinate bilateral cooperation on security and strategic matters.
According to the statement, both countries reviewed progress made under the framework and explored measures to strengthen military cooperation, intelligence exchange, strategic communications, capacity development for Nigerian security institutions and counterterrorism support.
Ribadu further briefed U.S. officials on ongoing reforms by the Nigerian government aimed at tackling insecurity through a combination of military operations and non-kinetic strategies, including community engagement, economic development, deradicalisation programmes and regional partnerships.
The U.S. officials reportedly commended Nigeria’s leadership role in promoting regional peace and security, describing the country as a critical strategic partner in Africa.
Both nations also reaffirmed their shared commitment to democratic values, regional stability, economic cooperation and sustainable peace across West Africa and the Sahel.
The meetings ended with both sides pledging to sustain diplomatic engagements and deepen defence and security cooperation through continued implementation of initiatives under the Joint Working Group framework.