The Presidency says the United States Government has pledged renewed commitment to strengthening security cooperation with Nigeria, including enhanced intelligence sharing and increased supply of military hardware to bolster counter-terrorism and counter-extremism efforts nationwide.
This development follows a series of high-level engagements in Washington last week, where senior Nigerian officials met with top arms of the US Government to reinforce defence ties and explore new areas of collaboration.
The Nigerian delegation, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, met with officials from the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of War.
Other members of the delegation included the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and two ONSA representatives.
The update was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.
According to Onanuga, the Nigerian delegation used the meetings to clarify misconceptions about Nigeria’s security situation and address narratives portraying ongoing violence through a divisive lens. He said the officials emphasized that insecurity affects communities across religious and ethnic lines.
Onanuga stated that, “The discussions provided ample opportunity to correct misconceptions about Nigeria, forged a constructive, solution-driven partnership with the United States, reinforced mutual trust, and advanced a coordinated approach to protecting vulnerable communities, especially in the Middle Belt.”
He further noted that the US also expressed readiness to provide humanitarian assistance to affected communities and offer technical support to improve early-warning security mechanisms.
Both countries also agreed to immediately begin implementing a non-binding cooperation framework and to establish a Joint Working Group that will coordinate activities in key areas of priority.
Onanuga added that the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening civilian protection while addressing concerns relating to religious freedom and national security.
He said, “The Federal Government restates its awareness of heightened sensitivities regarding religious freedom and security, and urges citizens to remain assured that firm, urgent, and coordinated steps are being taken to
secure the nation.”
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