Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, has intensified diplomatic and security engagements with the United States following talks with top American officials on counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, defence cooperation and regional stability in West Africa and the Sahel.
Ribadu undertook a three-day working visit to the United States from May 4 to 6, where he met with J. D. Vance, US Vice President and Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, who is also serving as Acting National Security Adviser.
The Nigerian security chief also held separate engagements with Allison Hooker, Undersecretary for Political Affairs and Daniel Zimmerim, Assistant Secretary of War as part of efforts to strengthen strategic cooperation between both countries.
A statement issued on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said Ribadu conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to deepening Nigeria’s bilateral relationship with the United States.
According to the statement, discussions during the visit centred on emerging security threats across West Africa and the Sahel, particularly terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and cyber-related threats.
“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,” the statement said.
The meetings also provided an opportunity for both countries to review the current state of Nigeria-US relations and explore areas for enhanced collaboration, including counterterrorism operations, intelligence sharing, defence cooperation, economic resilience and democratic governance.
The presidency noted that Ribadu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to partnering with the international community in promoting peace, political stability and economic development across Africa.
The NSA also highlighted Nigeria’s strategic role in regional security efforts, describing the country as a frontline state in counterterrorism operations across the Lake Chad Basin and the wider West African region.
During his engagement with Hooker at the US State Department, Ribadu expressed appreciation for continued American support in the areas of security assistance, intelligence collaboration, defence capacity building and counterterrorism operations.
He further reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to fully implement the roadmap under the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group, a bilateral framework established to strengthen structured cooperation on strategic and security matters.
According to the statement, officials from both countries reviewed progress made under the framework and discussed additional practical measures aimed at improving implementation of agreed initiatives.
“The areas discussed included intelligence sharing, military cooperation, border security, counterterrorism support, strategic communications and institutional capacity development for Nigerian security agencies”, the statement added.
Ribadu also briefed American officials on the Tinubu administration’s national security strategy, which he described as a whole-of-government approach combining military action with non-kinetic measures.
The approach, according to him, includes community engagement, economic empowerment initiatives, deradicalisation programmes and regional partnerships designed to address the root causes of insecurity.
US officials reportedly commended Nigeria’s leadership role in regional peace and security efforts and acknowledged the country’s growing importance as a strategic partner for the United States in Africa.
