The Presidency says the United States has indicated readiness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria, including enhanced intelligence sharing and the provision of additional military hardware to strengthen counter-terrorism and counter-extremism efforts across the country.
This renewed commitment followed multiple high-level meetings in Washington last week between senior Nigerian officials and key arms of the US Government. The Nigerian delegation, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, engaged with officials from the US Congress, the State Department, the National Security Council, the White House Faith Office, the Department of War, and other strategic institutions. The team also included the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and representatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, both sides agreed to start implementing a non-binding cooperation framework and establish a Joint Working Group to track progress. The Presidency added that the Nigerian delegation used the engagements to clarify misconceptions about the country’s security landscape while reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to enhanced civilian protection and improved approaches to religious freedom and internal security.