Nigeria and the US strengthen security ties as Ribadu meets with Vance and Rubio.

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has held talks with senior United States government officials on counterterrorism, defence cooperation, and regional security.

Ribadu undertook a three-day working visit to the US from May 4 to 6, during which he met with Vice President J. D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves as Acting National Security Adviser.

He also met with Undersecretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim during the visit.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Saturday, said Ribadu conveyed the president’s commitment to the bilateral relationship during the engagements.

The statement read, “Ribadu emphasised the importance of sustained cooperation in addressing emerging security challenges confronting West Africa and the broader Sahel region, particularly terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, and cyber threats.”

Both sides reviewed the current state of Nigeria-US relations and discussed strengthening collaboration in counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, defence cooperation, economic resilience, and democratic governance.

The statement added, “The NSA noted that Nigeria remains fully committed to working with international partners in promoting peace, stability, democratic governance, and economic development across Africa.

“He further underscored Nigeria’s role as a regional leader and frontline state in counterterrorism efforts across the Lake Chad Basin and West Africa.”

In his meeting with Hooker at the State Department, Ribadu conveyed Nigeria’s gratitude for the ongoing US support in security assistance, intelligence sharing, defense capacity building, and counterterrorism efforts.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the agreed roadmap under the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group, established to advance structured bilateral cooperation on strategic and security matters.

It went on to say, “Both sides looked at the progress made under the JWG framework and talked about practical steps to better carry out the agreed initiatives. These include intelligence sharing, military cooperation, counterterrorism support, border security, strategic communications, and building capacity for Nigeria’s security institutions.”

The statement noted that Ribadu also briefed American officials on the administration’s approach to national security, adding, “He emphasised the administration’s whole-of-government approach, which combines kinetic and non-kinetic measures, including community engagement, economic development, deradicalisation initiatives, and regional partnerships.”

According to the statement, US officials commended Nigeria’s leadership role in regional peace and security and acknowledged the country’s importance as a strategic partner in Africa.

Both countries concluded the meetings with a commitment to deepen bilateral engagement through sustained diplomatic dialogue and enhanced defence cooperation under the Joint Working Group framework.