By Our Correspondent

National News – Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has strengthened Nigeria-US security relations after a high-level meeting with senior American officials during a three-day working visit to the United States from May 4 to 6, 2026.

The talks focused on counterterrorism, defence cooperation, intelligence sharing, cyber threats, and regional security challenges affecting West Africa and the Sahel region.

During the visit, Ribadu met with United States Vice President J. D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves as Acting National Security Adviser.

He also held discussions with senior US officials, including Allison Hooker and Daniel Zimmerim, on strengthening bilateral cooperation between both nations.

According to a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Ribadu conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to deepening Nigeria’s strategic relationship with the United States.

He stressed the importance of sustained collaboration to tackle terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, and cyber insecurity threatening regional stability.

The Nigerian delegation and US officials reviewed progress under the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group framework, which was established to advance structured cooperation on defence and security matters.

Discussions also covered military cooperation, border security, strategic communications, and capacity building for Nigerian security agencies.

Ribadu further highlighted Nigeria’s leading role in counterterrorism operations across the Lake Chad Basin and West Africa.

He explained that the Tinubu administration is adopting both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, including community engagement, economic development programmes, deradicalisation efforts, and stronger regional partnerships to improve national security.

American officials reportedly commended Nigeria’s commitment to peace, democratic governance, and regional stability.

Both countries concluded the meetings with renewed commitments to expand diplomatic dialogue, improve intelligence collaboration, and strengthen defence partnerships aimed at combating insecurity across Africa.