Ribadu Holds Strategic Security Meeting With US Vice President, Rubio
Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to deeper security and defence cooperation following a series of high-level meetings between Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and senior American officials in Washington.
Ribadu undertook a three-day official visit to the United States from May 4 to 6, where he held discussions with US Vice President J. D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also serving as Acting National Security Adviser.
During the visit, the NSA also met with Undersecretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim to discuss regional and global security concerns.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Ribadu conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with the United States.
The discussions focused on enhancing collaboration in counterterrorism operations, intelligence sharing, defence cooperation, cyber security, and democratic governance. Ribadu stressed the need for sustained international cooperation in tackling emerging threats across West Africa and the Sahel, including violent extremism, organised crime, and cyber-related crimes.
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He reiterated Nigeria’s strategic role in regional security efforts, particularly within the Lake Chad Basin and across West Africa, noting that the country remains a frontline state in the fight against terrorism.
At the State Department meeting with Hooker, Ribadu expressed appreciation for continued American support in areas such as intelligence cooperation, military capacity development, and counterterrorism assistance.
The talks also reviewed progress under the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group framework, established to strengthen structured bilateral engagement on security and strategic matters. Both countries examined measures to improve cooperation in border security, military operations, strategic communications, and institutional capacity building.
Ribadu further briefed US officials on the Tinubu administration’s “whole-of-government” security strategy, which combines military action with non-kinetic measures such as community engagement, economic empowerment, deradicalisation programmes, and regional partnerships.
American officials reportedly commended Nigeria’s leadership role in promoting peace and stability across Africa and reaffirmed Washington’s recognition of Nigeria as a key strategic partner on the continent.
The meetings concluded with both countries pledging to sustain diplomatic engagement and expand defence cooperation through the Joint Working Group framework.
By PRNigeria
