The Federal Government has announced that a series of high-level engagements held last week between a Nigerian delegation and senior United States officials will significantly strengthen security cooperation between both countries and unlock new avenues for collaboration aimed at safeguarding Nigerian citizens.
The delegation, led by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, held strategic meetings in Washington, D.C. with officials from the U.S. Congress, the White House Faith Office, the Department of State, the National Security Council, and the Department of Defense.
During the engagements, the Nigerian team firmly refuted allegations of genocide in the country, stressing that violent attacks—where they occur—impact communities across religious and ethnic divides. The delegation rejected any mischaracterisation of the situation, describing such narratives as harmful, divisive, and inconsistent with realities on the ground.
Following the discussions, the United States Government reaffirmed its commitment to deepening security cooperation with Nigeria. This includes enhanced intelligence-sharing, accelerated processing of defence equipment requests, and the possible transfer of excess defence articles—subject to availability—to bolster ongoing operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups.
The U.S. also conveyed readiness to provide complementary support, including humanitarian assistance to affected populations in the Middle Belt, as well as technical assistance to strengthen early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms.
Both nations agreed to immediately operationalise a non-binding cooperation framework and to establish a Joint Working Group that will coordinate and monitor progress across the identified areas of collaboration.
In return, the Nigerian delegation reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving civilian protection and adopting global best practices in the conduct of security operations.
The engagements offered an avenue to clarify misconceptions about Nigeria, fostered a constructive and solutions-driven partnership with the United States, strengthened mutual trust, and advanced a coordinated approach to protecting vulnerable communities, particularly in the Middle Belt.
The Federal Government reassures Nigerians that it remains mindful of heightened sensitivities surrounding issues of religious freedom and national security, and urges citizens to remain confident that decisive and coordinated efforts are underway to secure the country.
Members of the delegation included Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, Attorney-General of the Federation; Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police; General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence; Ms. Idayat Hassan, Special Adviser to the NSA; and Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of Foreign Relations at the Office of the National Security Adviser.
