Nigeria, US Seal Stronger Security Partnership After High-Level Meetings in Washington
Nigeria’s security cooperation with the United States is set to deepen following a series of high-level engagements in Washington, D.C., last week involving a Nigerian delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The delegation held strategic meetings with senior officials across the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council and the Department of War, focusing on strengthening security ties and addressing misinformation about Nigeria’s internal challenges.
During the engagements, the Nigerian team firmly countered allegations of genocide in Nigeria, stressing that violence in the country affects communities of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds. They warned that mischaracterising the situation could inflame tensions, distort realities, and undermine peace efforts.
Following these clarifications, the United States Government reaffirmed its readiness to bolster security cooperation with Nigeria. This commitment includes enhanced intelligence sharing, faster approval of defence equipment requests, and the possible transfer of excess defence articles—subject to availability—to support ongoing operations against terrorism and violent extremism.
The US also signaled willingness to provide humanitarian support to vulnerable populations, particularly in the Middle Belt, and offer technical assistance to strengthen early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms.
Both countries agreed to immediately activate a non-binding cooperation framework and set up a Joint Working Group to coordinate implementation of new and ongoing collaborative efforts. In turn, Nigeria reiterated its commitment to improving civilian protection across conflict-affected areas.
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Officials said the discussions helped correct longstanding misconceptions about Nigeria, reinforced trust between both governments, and opened new pathways for coordinated efforts to safeguard vulnerable communities.
The Federal Government assured citizens that it remains attentive to concerns around religious freedom, national security, and community protection, and emphasized that concrete, urgent, and collaborative measures are underway.
Members of the delegation included Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, Attorney General of the Federation; Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police; General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff; Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence; Ms. Idayat Hassan, Special Adviser to the NSA; and Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of Foreign Relations at the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Nigeria, US Seal Stronger Security Partnership After High-Level Meetings in Washington