Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to deeper cooperation on security, counterterrorism, intelligence sharing and regional stability following high-level meetings between Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and senior U.S. officials in Washington.
Ribadu undertook a three-day working visit to the United States from May 4 to May 6, during which he met with U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Undersecretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim.
In a statement signed by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on Friday, the Nigerian government said the meetings focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in counterterrorism, defence collaboration, intelligence sharing, economic resilience and democratic governance.
According to the statement, Ribadu conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to sustaining Nigeria’s strategic partnership with the United States and enhancing collaboration to tackle emerging security threats across West Africa and the Sahel.
The NSA highlighted terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and cyber threats as key concerns requiring stronger international cooperation.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s role as a frontline state in counterterrorism operations within the Lake Chad Basin and the wider West African region.
Discussions during the visit also centred on the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel, the need for enhanced regional coordination, and measures to strengthen institutional capacity to address asymmetric security threats.
During talks with Hooker at the U.S. State Department, Ribadu expressed Nigeria’s appreciation for continued American support in security assistance, defence capacity building, intelligence collaboration, humanitarian support and counterterrorism operations.
Both sides reviewed progress under the Nigeria–U.S. Joint Working Group framework, which was established to strengthen structured cooperation on strategic and security matters.
The discussions examined practical steps to improve intelligence sharing, military cooperation, border security, strategic communications and capacity development for Nigerian security institutions.
Ribadu also briefed U.S. officials on reforms being implemented by the Nigerian government to improve national security and stabilise affected communities.
According to the statement, the reforms combine military operations with non-kinetic measures such as community engagement, economic development initiatives, deradicalisation programmes and regional partnerships.
U.S. officials reportedly commended Nigeria’s leadership role in regional peace and security efforts and described the country as a critical strategic partner in Africa.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to democratic values, regional stability, economic cooperation and sustained diplomatic engagement aimed at promoting peace and security across West Africa and the Sahel.
The meetings concluded with both sides expressing optimism about the future of Nigeria–U.S. relations and pledging to deepen bilateral cooperation through sustained dialogue and implementation of ongoing initiatives under the Joint Working Group framework.
