Nigeria strengthens security ties with US after Ribadu’s Washington visit
Abdullateef Fowewe
Nigeria and the United States are ramping up cooperation on counterterrorism, regional stability, and strategic partnerships, according to a statement from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy.
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, wrapped up a three-day working visit to the US from May 4 to 6, engaging top officials including Vice President J.D. Vance, Acting National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Undersecretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Assistant Secretary of Defense Daniel Zimmer.
The talks according to the Presidency reviewed bilateral relations and focused on counterterrorism, defense, intelligence sharing, economic resilience, and democratic governance.
Ribadu stressed Nigeria’s commitment to tackling threats like terrorism, violent extremism, transnational crime, and cyber risks in West Africa and the Sahel.
In his meeting with Hooker at the State Department, Ribadu “expressed Nigeria’s appreciation to the U.S. government for its continued support and cooperation in various sectors, particularly in security assistance, intelligence collaboration, defence capacity building, humanitarian support, and counterterrorism operations.”
Both nations recommitted to the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group (JWG), discussing progress on intelligence sharing, military ties, border security, and capacity building for Nigerian forces.
Ribadu briefed US officials on Nigeria’s “whole-of-government approach,” blending military action with community engagement, economic development, and deradicalisation.
U.S. officials praised Nigeria’s regional leadership, with Onanuga noting that 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 visit ended with pledges for deeper engagement through dialogue and JWG initiatives, signaling optimism for the partnership.
