Nigeria, U.S. Deepen Counterterrorism Ties as AFRICOM Commander Visits Abuja
Nigeria and the United States have reinforced their security cooperation following a high-level visit by the Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Gen. Dagvin Anderson, to Abuja from February 8 to 9.
During the two-day visit, Gen. Anderson was received by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and held strategic engagements with key security stakeholders, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd); Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; and Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, alongside other senior military and government officials.
Discussions centered on shared security interests and strengthening bilateral efforts to counter terrorist organisations posing threats to Nigeria, the United States, and the wider region. The engagements also focused on enhancing military cooperation through expanded training programmes, joint exercises, and force development initiatives.
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According to defence authorities, the talks laid the groundwork for future collaboration in real-world training operations and the integration of specialised capabilities that the United States can provide to support Nigeria’s security architecture.
As part of his itinerary, Gen. Anderson visited the joint U.S.–Nigeria intelligence fusion cell in Abuja. The facility plays a critical role in bolstering Nigeria’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and supports real-time operational coordination.
The AFRICOM Commander also interacted with senior Nigerian security officials, reaffirming the United States’ commitment to supporting Nigerian-led solutions through intelligence-sharing and technical advisory support aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s independent operational capacity.
The visit underscores ongoing efforts by both nations to consolidate strategic defence relations amid evolving security challenges across West Africa.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, confirmed the details of the visit in a statement issued on February 9, 2026.
By PRNigeria
