Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation on security, counterterrorism, intelligence sharing and regional stability following high level meetings between Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and senior U.S. officials in Washington.
Bayo Onanuga in a statement said Ribadu was on a three day working tour to the United States on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from May 4 to May 6.
The NSA also met with the U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Under Secretary of Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim during the tour.
The talks focused on enhancing the existing partnership between the two nations in the fields of counterterrorism, defense cooperation, information sharing, regional security, economic resilience and democratic governance.
Ribadu said there was no gainsaying the need for continuous international cooperation to combat increasing security concerns across West Africa and the broader Sahel area, including terrorism, violent extremism, organised transnational crime and cyber threats.
He emphasized Nigeria’s resolve to work closely with international partners for the promotion of peace, stability, democratic governance and economic development in Africa.
The NSA also pointed out Nigeria’s strategic importance in the counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin and across West Africa, noting that the country is a frontline state in regional security efforts.
The statement said the talks also touched on the changing security situation in the Sahel and the need for better regional cooperation and institutional ability to deal with complex and asymmetric security challenges.
At the U.S. Department of State, Ribadu thanked the U.S. government for its continued support in security assistance, defence capacity building, intelligence collaboration, humanitarian help and counterterrorism activities.
Read also Judicial Interference Could Leave Nigeria With One Candidate In 2027 – Falana
He equally restated Nigeria’s commitment to the implementation of agreements achieved within the framework of the Nigeria U.S. Joint Working Group set up to deepen organized bilateral collaboration on strategic and security topics.
Both countries also reviewed progress achieved under the Joint Working Group and discussed further measures to increase cooperation in information sharing, border security, military cooperation, strategic communications and the institutional capacity development for Nigerian security institutions.
Ribadu also updated the U.S. authorities on the continuing reform and operational efforts being undertaken by the Nigerian government to enhance the security situation in the country and stabilize conflict-affected regions.
The Tinubu administration, he said, is using both kinetic and non-kinetic measures, including community involvement, economic development projects, deradicalisation initiatives and regional alliances.
U.S. officials praised Nigeria’s efforts in advancing regional peace and security and hailed the country as a critical ally of the United States in Africa.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to democratic values, regional stability, economic cooperation and the promotion of sustained peace and security across West Africa and the Sahel.
The sessions ended with a reaffirmed commitment by both countries to strengthen diplomatic engagement and expand defence and security cooperation through successful implementation of bilateral initiatives within the Joint Working Group structure.
About the Author
