Nigeria has intensified its security partnership with the United States following high-level talks between the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and top American officials in Washington, DC.
Ribadu held separate meetings with US Vice President, JD Vance, and Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, during a three-day working visit from May 4 to May 6, where both countries reaffirmed commitment to strengthening bilateral security cooperation.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the discussions focused on counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, defence collaboration, and strategies to tackle emerging threats across West Africa and the Sahel.
The statement noted that Ribadu conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to deepening ties with the US, stressing the need for sustained collaboration in combating terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, and cyber threats.
“Both sides reviewed the current state of Nigeria-US relations and explored ways to enhance cooperation in critical areas, including defence, economic resilience, and democratic governance,” the statement read.
During the visit, the NSA also met with senior US officials, including Allison Hooker, where he expressed Nigeria’s appreciation for continued American support in intelligence sharing, security assistance, and capacity building.
Ribadu further reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the roadmap under the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group, a framework designed to strengthen structured bilateral engagement on security and strategic matters.
He highlighted Nigeria’s leadership role in regional security, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin, describing the country as a frontline state in counterterrorism efforts across West Africa.
The statement added that Ribadu briefed US officials on the Federal Government’s “whole-of-government” approach to national security, which combines military operations with non-kinetic measures such as community engagement, economic development, deradicalisation programmes, and regional partnerships.
US officials, in response, commended Nigeria’s efforts in promoting regional peace and stability, while acknowledging its strategic importance as a key partner in Africa.
Both countries, however, agreed to deepen diplomatic engagement and expand defence cooperation through sustained implementation of the Joint Working Group framework.
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