Ribadu meets US officials on counterterrorism cooperation
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has held talks with United States Vice President, JD Vance, and Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, on strengthening counterterrorism cooperation in West Africa.
According to a post on X by Secure Nigeria, a security-focused social media platform, the meeting reaffirmed the partnership between Nigeria and the US in tackling terrorism across the region.
The platform noted that President Bola Tinubu values the continued partnership and support of the US government under President Donald Trump.
It stated that Tinubu appreciated the US government’s intelligence sharing and military training support as Nigerian security forces intensify operations against terrorist groups and seek to protect vulnerable communities.
Secure Nigeria described Nigeria as a key US ally in efforts to combat insurgent groups such as ISIS and Boko Haram, as well as growing security threats across the Sahel region.
The platform added that both countries remained committed to deepening collaboration to defeat terrorism and improve regional security.
In a statement, presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said Ribadu stressed the importance of sustained international cooperation in addressing emerging security threats in West Africa and the Sahel, including terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and cybercrime.
Onanuga said the NSA reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with global partners to advance peace, stability, democratic governance and economic development across Africa.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s strategic role in counterterrorism operations within the Lake Chad Basin and the wider West African region.
The discussions reportedly focused on the worsening security situation in the Sahel, the need for stronger regional partnerships and improved institutional capacity to address evolving threats.
In November 2025, Ribadu led a delegation of senior Nigerian government officials to Washington, DC, for discussions with US counterparts.
A month later, he received a delegation from the US Congress in Abuja, led by senior lawmakers including Mario Díaz-Balart, Norma Torres, Scott Franklin, Juan Ciscomani and Riley Moore.
