The Presidency has announced that the United States government has signalled its readiness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria, including enhanced intelligence sharing, defence equipment supply, and other support aimed at strengthening the country’s fight against terrorists and violent extremist groups.
This development follows a series of high-level engagements in Washington, D.C., last week between a Nigerian government delegation and top U.S. officials. The meetings were focused on expanding security partnerships and exploring new avenues for collaboration.
The delegation was led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and included key figures such as the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and senior officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
According to a statement issued on Monday by President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the team met with officials from the U.S. Congress, the State Department, the National Security Council, the White House Faith Office, and the Department of War.
Onanuga said the Nigerian delegation used the engagements to counter narratives alleging genocide in Nigeria, stressing that violence in the country affects communities across various religious and ethnic groups. He noted that portraying the crisis through a religious lens was misleading and risked deepening divisions.
He explained that the discussions not only helped correct misconceptions about Nigeria but also strengthened trust between both nations and paved the way for a more coordinated response to protecting vulnerable communities, particularly in the Middle Belt.
“The United States also expressed its willingness to provide complementary support, including humanitarian assistance for affected populations and technical aid to boost early-warning systems,” Onanuga said.
Both countries agreed to immediately roll out a non-binding cooperation framework and set up a Joint Working Group to drive collaboration in the agreed priority areas.
The Nigerian government, in turn, reaffirmed its commitment to improving civilian protection in conflict zones. Onanuga added that the Federal Government is aware of rising sensitivities around religious freedoms and security and assured citizens that decisive, coordinated actions are being taken to improve safety across the nation.