Nigeria, US deepen defence ties, counter-terrorism cooperation in Washington

Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening defence and security cooperation, with both countries strengthening military-to-military relations and counter-terrorism efforts.

The commitment followed high-level bilateral engagements between Nigerian officials and senior authorities of the United States Department of War in Washington, D.C.

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), led a high-powered Nigerian delegation to the Pentagon, where discussions focused on intelligence cooperation, counter-terrorism and operational coordination.

Musa was accompanied by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele; the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. Gen. Parker Udiandeye; and other senior officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The delegation met with senior U.S. officials led by Julia Sokol, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for International Security Affairs.

The meeting formed part of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group Defence Bilateral Talks, aimed at strengthening cooperation on shared security priorities and improving intelligence and operational coordination.

The Nigerian delegation said the engagement was focused on building a stronger security partnership capable of responding to emerging regional and global threats.

“The engagement served as a direct continuation of the United States–Nigeria Joint Working Group Defence Bilateral Talks, focusing on shared security architecture, intelligence collaboration, and operational synergies,” Musa said in statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media), Leah Katung-Babatunde on Thursday.