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, intelligence sharing and regional stability following high-level meetings between Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and top U.S. officials in Washington.
Ribadu, who was on a three-day working visit to the United States from May 4 to May 6, held discussions with U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim.
According to a statement issued on Friday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the engagements focused on reviewing Nigeria–United States relations and enhancing collaboration in counterterrorism, defence cooperation, cyber security, democratic governance and economic resilience.
Ribadu conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to sustaining Nigeria’s strategic partnership with the United States and stressed the importance of joint efforts in tackling terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and cyber threats across West Africa and the Sahel region.
The NSA noted that Nigeria remained committed to promoting peace, democratic governance and economic development across Africa, while also playing a frontline role in counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin and the wider West African sub-region.
The discussions also centred on the worsening security situation in the Sahel and the need for stronger regional cooperation and institutional capacity to address asymmetric threats effectively.
During talks with Hooker at the U.S. Department of State, Ribadu expressed appreciation for continued American support in security assistance, intelligence collaboration, defence capacity building, humanitarian interventions and counterterrorism operations.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing agreements under the Nigeria–U.S. Joint Working Group framework established to strengthen structured bilateral cooperation on strategic and security matters.
Both countries reviewed progress under the framework and discussed measures to improve intelligence sharing, military cooperation, border security, strategic communications and capacity development for Nigerian security agencies.
Ribadu further briefed U.S. officials on reforms and operational measures being implemented by the Federal Government to improve security and stabilise affected communities, including the administration’s combined kinetic and non-kinetic approach involving community engagement, deradicalisation programmes, economic development and regional partnerships.
U.S. officials commended Nigeria’s leadership role in regional peace and security efforts, describing the country as a strategic partner of the United States in Africa.
At the end of the meetings, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to sustained diplomatic engagement, stronger defence cooperation and the effective implementation of bilateral initiatives aimed at advancing peace, stability and shared interests across West Africa and the Sahel.
