Nigeria, U.S. Deepen Security, Counterterrorism Cooperation As Ribadu Meets Vance, Rubio
Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation on security, counterterrorism, regional stability, and strategic partnership following a series of high-level meetings between Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and senior U.S. officials in Washington, D.C.
Ribadu, who was on a three-day working visit to the United States from May 4 to May 6, conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to sustaining Nigeria’s longstanding strategic relationship with the United States.
During the visit, the NSA held talks with U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance, Acting National Security Adviser and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim.
The engagements focused on reviewing the current state of Nigeria–United States relations and strengthening ongoing collaboration in counterterrorism, defence cooperation, intelligence sharing, regional security, economic resilience, and democratic governance.
Ribadu stressed the need for sustained international cooperation in tackling emerging security threats confronting West Africa and the Sahel region, particularly terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, and cyber threats.
He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to working with global partners to promote peace, stability, democratic governance, and economic development across Africa, while underscoring the country’s leadership role in counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin and the wider West African sub-region.
The discussions also examined the evolving security challenges in the Sahel and the need for enhanced regional cooperation and stronger institutional capacity to combat asymmetric threats effectively.
At a separate meeting with Allison Hooker at the U.S. Department of State, Ribadu expressed Nigeria’s appreciation for continued American support in areas such as security assistance, intelligence collaboration, defence capacity building, humanitarian support, and counterterrorism operations.
The NSA reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the roadmap under the Nigeria–U.S. Joint Working Group (JWG), established to strengthen structured bilateral cooperation on strategic and security matters.
Both countries reviewed progress made under the JWG framework and discussed practical steps to improve implementation of agreed initiatives, including intelligence sharing, military cooperation, border security, strategic communications, and capacity development for Nigerian security institutions.
The talks further highlighted the importance of maintaining regular communication channels and stronger institutional coordination to address shared security concerns.
Ribadu also briefed U.S. officials on ongoing reforms and operational measures being implemented by the Nigerian government to improve national security, stabilise affected communities, and tackle the root causes of insecurity.
He explained that the Tinubu administration’s approach combines both kinetic and non-kinetic measures, including community engagement, economic development initiatives, deradicalisation programmes, and regional partnerships.
U.S. officials commended Nigeria’s leadership role in promoting peace and security in the region and described the country as a strategic partner of the United States in Africa.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to democratic values, regional stability, economic cooperation, and sustainable peace across West Africa and the Sahel.
The meetings concluded with a renewed commitment to deepen diplomatic engagement, strengthen defence and security cooperation, and ensure effective implementation of bilateral initiatives under the Joint Working Group framework.
The statement was issued on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
