Ribadu Meets U.S. Vice President Vance, Rubio as Nigeria, America Strengthen Security Alliance

Nigeria and the United States have intensified efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation on counterterrorism, defence, intelligence sharing and regional stability following a high level diplomatic engagement between top officials of both countries in Washington DC.

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, held strategic meetings with senior officials of the U.S. government during a three day working visit to the United States from May 4 to May 6.

The visit, according to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to deepening Nigeria’s longstanding strategic partnership with the United States.

During the engagements, Ribadu met with U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim.

The discussions centred on strengthening collaboration in counterterrorism operations, defence cooperation, intelligence exchange, democratic governance, economic resilience and regional security.

Ribadu stressed the urgent need for stronger international cooperation in tackling terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and cyber threats confronting West Africa and the wider Sahel region.

He noted that Nigeria remains committed to working with global partners to promote peace, democratic governance and sustainable development across Africa.

The NSA also reaffirmed Nigeria’s role as a frontline state in regional counterterrorism efforts, particularly within the Lake Chad Basin and West Africa.

According to the statement, both countries reviewed the current state of Nigeria United States relations and explored ways of improving cooperation through the Nigeria U.S. Joint Working Group framework on security and strategic matters.

At the U.S. Department of State, Ribadu thanked the American government for its continued support in intelligence collaboration, security assistance, defence capacity building, humanitarian intervention and counterterrorism operations.

Both parties discussed measures aimed at strengthening intelligence sharing, military cooperation, border security, strategic communications and institutional support for Nigerian security agencies.

Ribadu also briefed U.S. officials on ongoing reforms and operational measures being implemented by the Nigerian government to address insecurity and stabilise conflict affected communities.

He explained that the Tinubu administration’s strategy combines military operations with non military measures such as economic development, community engagement, deradicalisation programmes and regional partnerships.

U.S. officials, in turn, commended Nigeria’s leadership role in promoting peace and stability across the region and reaffirmed America’s commitment to supporting Nigeria as a key strategic partner in Africa.

Both countries expressed optimism about the future of the partnership and pledged to sustain diplomatic dialogue and deepen defence and security cooperation in addressing shared regional and global challenges.