Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has held strategic security talks with United States Vice President JD Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as both countries move to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation and regional security efforts across West Africa.
The high-level meeting, revealed in a statement shared on X by Secure Nigeria, focused on expanding intelligence sharing, military collaboration, and joint operations targeted at dismantling terrorist networks operating in Nigeria and across the Sahel region.
According to the statement, the discussions highlighted the growing security partnership between Nigeria and the United States amid renewed efforts to tackle insurgency, banditry, and extremist violence linked to groups such as Boko Haram and ISIS-affiliated factions.
The platform noted that President Bola Tinubu appreciates the continued support of the United States government, particularly in the areas of military training, intelligence support, and strategic cooperation as Nigerian security forces intensify operations against terrorist groups threatening national and regional stability.
“President Bola Tinubu appreciates President Donald Trump’s partnership and continued U.S. training and intelligence support as Nigerian forces intensify operations to dismantle terrorist networks, protect Nigerian Christians, and defend all vulnerable communities,” part of the statement read.
The statement further described Nigeria as one of America’s key security partners in Africa, especially in the ongoing fight against terrorism and violent extremism spreading across parts of West Africa and the Sahel.
The meeting comes at a time of growing international concern over worsening insecurity in the Sahel region, where political instability, military takeovers, and fragile security systems have complicated counterterrorism operations.
Both Nigeria and the United States reportedly reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining joint security initiatives aimed at combating terrorism, strengthening regional stability, and improving intelligence coordination.
“This fight is winnable, and together, the U.S. and Nigeria intend to finish it,” the statement added.
The latest engagement is seen as part of broader diplomatic and security efforts to deepen bilateral relations between both countries while addressing rising threats posed by extremist groups across the region.
