Ribadu meets Vance, Rubio on counterterrorism, security cooperation

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has held talks with senior United States officials on counterterrorism, defence cooperation and regional security.

 

Ribadu undertook a three-day working visit to the US from May 4 to 6, during which he met with Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also serves as Acting National Security Adviser.

 

He also met with Undersecretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim.

 

A statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Ribadu conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between both countries.

 

“Ribadu emphasised the importance of sustained cooperation in addressing emerging security challenges confronting West Africa and the broader Sahel region, particularly terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and cyber threats,” the statement read.

 

According to the statement, both sides reviewed the current state of Nigeria-US relations and discussed stronger collaboration in counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, defence cooperation, economic resilience and democratic governance.

 

“The NSA noted that Nigeria remains fully committed to working with international partners in promoting peace, stability, democratic governance and economic development across Africa.

 

“He further underscored Nigeria’s role as a regional leader and frontline state in counterterrorism efforts across the Lake Chad Basin and West Africa,” it added.

 

During his meeting with Hooker at the State Department, Ribadu expressed appreciation for continued US support in security assistance, intelligence collaboration, defence capacity building and counterterrorism operations.

 

He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing agreements reached under the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group established to strengthen strategic and security cooperation.

 

“Both sides reviewed progress under the JWG framework. They discussed practical measures to enhance the implementation of agreed initiatives, including intelligence sharing, military cooperation, counterterrorism support, border security, strategic communications and capacity development for Nigerian security institutions,” the statement added.

 

Ribadu also briefed US officials on the Tinubu administration’s security strategy, describing it as a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic measures, including community engagement, economic development, deradicalisation programmes and regional partnerships.

 

US officials reportedly commended Nigeria’s leadership role in regional peace and security and acknowledged the country’s importance as a strategic partner in Africa.

 

Both countries concluded the meetings with a commitment to deepen bilateral engagement through sustained diplomatic dialogue and enhanced defence cooperation under the Joint Working Group framework.