Nigeria, US deepen security partnership as Ribadu meets Vance, Rubio
The Nigerian government and the United States have renewed commitments to closer cooperation on security, counterterrorism and regional stability following high-level meetings between Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and senior U.S. officials in Washington.
Ribadu, who visited the United States from May 4 to May 6, held talks with U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance, Secretary of State and Acting National Security Adviser Marco Rubio, Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the meetings focused on strengthening collaboration in counterterrorism, defence cooperation, intelligence sharing, regional security and democratic governance.
“The meetings provided an opportunity for both sides to review the current state of Nigeria–United States relations and to further strengthen ongoing collaboration in counterterrorism, defence cooperation, intelligence sharing, regional security, economic resilience, and democratic governance,” the statement said.
The statement added that Ribadu stressed the need for sustained international cooperation in tackling security threats across West Africa and the Sahel, including terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and cyber threats.
“The NSA noted that Nigeria remains fully committed to working with international partners in promoting peace, stability, democratic governance, and economic development across Africa,” the statement added.
Discussions also reviewed progress under the Nigeria–U.S. Joint Working Group (JWG), a bilateral framework established to coordinate cooperation on strategic and security matters.
“Both sides reviewed progress under the JWG framework. They discussed practical measures to enhance the implementation of agreed initiatives, including intelligence sharing, military cooperation, counterterrorism support, border security, strategic communications, and capacity development for Nigerian security institutions,” Onanuga said.
