Tinubu approves team for US security partnership amid rising threats
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Abdullateef Fowewe
President Bola Tinubu has approved the composition of Nigeria’s side of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group, a key step to bolster collaboration on security challenges.
This came following high-level talks in Washington, DC. led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the group includes top officials such as Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Dr Bernard M. Doro, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, National Intelligence Agency Director-General Amb. Mohammed Mohammed, and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the initiative stems from agreements reached during Ribadu’s recent delegation to the US, where both nations committed to a non-binding cooperation framework focused on intelligence sharing, expedited defence equipment, and humanitarian aid for conflict zones like the Middle Belt.
“Ms Idayat Hassan of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Mr Paul Alabi of the Embassy of Nigeria in the US will serve as the secretariat.
“President Tinubu has urged members of the Joint Working Group to work assiduously with their US counterparts to ensure smooth operationalisation of all agreements across sectors,” Onanuga had written.
This partnership aims to enhance counterterrorism, protect civilians, and strengthen early-warning systems, with the US pledging support including excess defence articles subject to availability.
