Nigeria, U.S. Deepen Security Ties as Ribadu Meets JD 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, Nuhu Ribadu, and top U.S. officials in Washington.

According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Ribadu undertook a three day working visit to the United States from May 4 to May 6 on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

During the visit, the NSA met with U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim.

The engagements focused on strengthening ongoing collaboration between both countries in the areas of counterterrorism, defence cooperation, intelligence sharing, regional security, economic resilience and democratic governance.

Ribadu stressed the importance of sustained international cooperation in addressing emerging security threats across West Africa and the broader Sahel region, including terrorism, violent extremism, organised transnational crime and cyber threats.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working closely with international partners to promote peace, stability, democratic governance and economic development across Africa.

The NSA also highlighted Nigeria’s strategic role in counterterrorism operations within the Lake Chad Basin and across West Africa, describing the country as a frontline state in regional security efforts.

According to the statement, discussions also examined the evolving security situation in the Sahel and the need for stronger regional coordination and institutional capacity to confront complex and asymmetric security threats.

At the U.S. Department of State, Ribadu expressed appreciation to the American government for its continued support in security assistance, defence capacity building, intelligence cooperation, humanitarian support and counterterrorism operations.

He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing agreements reached under the Nigeria U.S. Joint Working Group framework established to strengthen structured bilateral cooperation on strategic and security matters.

Both countries reviewed progress made under the Joint Working Group and discussed additional measures to improve collaboration in intelligence sharing, border security, military cooperation, strategic communications and institutional capacity development for Nigerian security agencies.

Ribadu further briefed U.S. officials on ongoing reforms and operational strategies being implemented by the Nigerian government to improve national security and stabilise conflict affected communities.

He explained that the Tinubu administration’s approach combines both kinetic and non kinetic measures, including community engagement, economic development initiatives, deradicalisation programmes and regional partnerships.

U.S. officials commended Nigeria’s leadership role in promoting regional peace and security and described the country as a strategic partner of the United States in Africa.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to democratic values, regional stability, economic cooperation and the promotion of sustainable peace and security across West Africa and the Sahel.

The meetings ended with a renewed commitment by both nations to deepen diplomatic engagement and expand defence and security cooperation through the effective implementation of bilateral initiatives under the Joint Working Group framework.