ABUJA — The Presidency has announced that the United States government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen security cooperation with Nigeria through enhanced intelligence sharing, defence equipment support, and assistance for ongoing counterterrorism operations.
The development follows a series of high-level meetings held in Washington, D.C., last week between senior Nigerian officials and top U.S. policymakers aimed at expanding defence collaboration and correcting what Nigeria described as “misconceptions” about its internal security situation.
The Nigerian delegation, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, met with officials from the U.S. Congress, State Department, National Security Council, White House Faith Office, and Department of War.
Other members of the delegation included Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and senior representatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
In a statement issued Monday, Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the discussions were constructive and focused on enhancing cooperation, combating terrorism, and addressing humanitarian challenges.
According to Onanuga, the delegation used the engagements to firmly reject allegations of genocide in Nigeria, stressing that violence in the country affects “families and communities across religious and ethnic lines.”
“The discussions provided ample opportunity to correct misconceptions about Nigeria, forged a constructive, solution-driven partnership with the United States, reinforced mutual trust, and advanced a coordinated approach to protecting vulnerable communities, especially in the Middle Belt,” he stated.
Onanuga added that the U.S. government expressed readiness to extend complementary support, including humanitarian aid for affected populations and technical assistance to bolster early-warning and conflict-prevention mechanisms.
Both countries, he said, agreed to immediately operationalise a non-binding cooperation framework and establish a Joint Working Group to coordinate intelligence sharing, defence collaboration, and humanitarian responses.
The Federal Government, according to the statement, also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening civilian protection measures and upholding religious freedom.
“The Federal Government restates its awareness of heightened sensitivities regarding religious freedom and security, and urges citizens to remain assured that firm, urgent, and coordinated steps are being taken to secure the nation,” Onanuga said.
Tensions Over Trump’s Threats
The renewed engagement between both nations follows weeks of tension after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened military action against Nigeria, alleging widespread persecution of Christians by Islamic extremists.
Trump, who has repeatedly criticized Nigeria’s handling of religious violence, declared the country a “Country of Particular Concern,” warning that the United States could intervene militarily if the situation did not improve.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet,” he added.
In response, President Bola Tinubu dismissed the allegations as unfounded, emphasizing that Nigeria remains committed to religious tolerance and freedom while tackling insecurity across all regions.
