Nigeria, US Review Counterterrorism Cooperation, Intelligence Sharing in Washington

Nigeria and the United States have commenced a high-level Joint Working Group meeting in Washington, D.C., to assess progress in bilateral counterterrorism efforts and chart the next phase of security and defence cooperation between both countries.

The Nigerian delegation is led by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, while the United States delegation is headed by Allison Hooker, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, are participating in the meeting as part of the Nigerian delegation.

The discussions are focused on strengthening Nigeria–US cooperation in counterterrorism, intelligence sharing and broader security coordination.

The meeting is also expected to review strategies for protecting vulnerable communities, particularly those at risk of religiously motivated violence, as well as other areas of mutual security interest.

Focus on terror financing, border security

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Washington meeting will review plans for the return and enhanced protection of internally displaced persons, intelligence gathering and coordination, and measures to disrupt terrorist financing.

The two countries are also expected to examine mechanisms for ensuring that perpetrators of terrorism and related crimes are held accountable.

Another key area of discussion is border security, with both sides seeking more effective measures to curb the movement of illicit goods, resources and people across borders.

The meeting will further undertake a strategic review of the Defence Roadmap between Nigeria and the United States, with the aim of strengthening cooperation and improving coordination in responding to emerging security threats.

Second round of Joint Working Group talks

The Washington meeting follows the inaugural Nigeria–US Joint Working Group session held in Abuja in January 2026.

The first meeting formed part of broader efforts by both countries to deepen security cooperation, improve intelligence sharing and strengthen joint responses to terrorism and violent extremism.

The renewed engagement comes against the backdrop of persistent security challenges affecting Nigeria and the wider West African region.

The two sides are expected to use the Washington session to evaluate commitments made during the January meeting and identify priority areas for the next phase of bilateral security cooperation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the discussions were aimed at building a stronger and more coordinated Nigeria–US security partnership capable of addressing terrorism, transnational crime and other emerging threats.