Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening military-to-military relations and deepening cooperation in the fight against terrorism and other security threats.
The renewed commitment followed high-level bilateral engagements between Nigerian officials and authorities of the United States Department of War in Washington D.C., led by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), OFR.
At a strategic meeting at the Pentagon, the Nigerian delegation included the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. General Parker Udiandeye; and other senior officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The delegation held discussions with senior officials of the U.S. Department of War, led by Julia Sokol, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for International Security Affairs.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the Defence Minister, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the engagement was a continuation of the United States-Nigeria Joint Working Group Defence Bilateral Talks.
The discussions focused on strengthening the shared security architecture of both countries, intelligence collaboration and improving operational cooperation in tackling terrorism and other emerging security threats.
The wider diplomatic mission to the United States was led by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and involved senior Nigerian government officials.
The second meeting of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group was held from August 12 to 13, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to consolidate bilateral security cooperation.
The meeting was co-chaired by Ribadu and Allison Hooker, the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.
The two sides reviewed progress made on agreed actions and examined strategic frameworks following Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
Both countries, according to the statement, reaffirmed their commitment to sustained dialogue, mutual respect and a strategic partnership aimed at addressing global and regional security challenges.
The engagements underscore the growing importance of Nigeria-US defence cooperation as both countries seek to enhance intelligence sharing, strengthen counter-terrorism operations and develop coordinated responses to evolving security threats in Nigeria, West Africa and beyond.
