Tinubu Meets AFRICOM Chief in Abuja as Nigeria, US Strengthen Security Ties

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday received the Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in a high-level security meeting aimed at deepening cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.

General Anderson led a senior delegation on a courtesy visit to the President, underscoring ongoing military and strategic collaboration between both countries.

Members of the U.S. delegation included the Charge d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, Keith Heffern; Senior Foreign Policy Adviser, AFRICOM, Ambassador Peter Vrooman; and Command Sergeant Major and Senior Enlisted Leader, Garric M. Banfield.

On the Nigerian side, top security chiefs were present at the meeting, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.); Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt.-Gen. Emmanuel Uandiandeye.

Also in attendance were the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Ajayi.

The visit comes amid renewed efforts to bolster security partnerships and intelligence-sharing frameworks across Africa, particularly in addressing terrorism, insurgency and transnational crimes.