Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has held a strategic meeting with United States Vice President J.D. Vance during a three-day working visit to the United States aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation on security and regional stability.
The meeting formed part of a series of high-level engagements held between May 4 and May 6 with senior officials of the U.S. government.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Ribadu briefed the U.S. Vice President on ongoing reforms and operational measures being implemented by the Federal Government to improve national security and stabilise communities affected by insecurity.
The NSA also conveyed President Tinubu’s commitment to deepening Nigeria’s longstanding strategic partnership with the United States, particularly in the areas of counterterrorism, defence cooperation, intelligence sharing, regional security, democratic governance, and economic resilience.
During the visit, Ribadu also met with the U.S. Acting National Security Adviser and Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, Undersecretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim.
The discussions focused on reviewing the current state of Nigeria–United States relations and strengthening collaboration in tackling emerging threats across West Africa and the Sahel region.
Ribadu stressed the importance of sustained international cooperation in addressing terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, cyber threats, and regional instability.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to promoting peace, democratic governance, economic development, and regional stability across Africa.
The NSA also highlighted Nigeria’s frontline role in counterterrorism operations within the Lake Chad Basin and across West Africa.
Talks further examined the evolving security challenges in the Sahel region, with both sides emphasising the need for enhanced regional partnerships and stronger institutional capacity to respond to complex security threats.
During his engagement with Allison Hooker at the U.S. Department of State, Ribadu expressed appreciation for continued American support in security assistance, intelligence collaboration, humanitarian support, defence capacity building, and counterterrorism operations.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the roadmap established under the Nigeria–U.S. Joint Working Group (JWG), which was created to strengthen bilateral cooperation on strategic and security matters.
Both countries reviewed progress made under the framework and discussed additional measures to improve intelligence sharing, military cooperation, border security, strategic communications, and capacity development for Nigerian security agencies.
Ribadu explained that the Tinubu administration was pursuing a comprehensive “whole-of-government” strategy that combines military operations with non-kinetic approaches such as community engagement, economic development, deradicalisation programmes, and regional partnerships.
U.S. officials reportedly commended Nigeria’s leadership role in regional peace and security efforts and reaffirmed the country’s importance as a strategic partner in Africa.
At the end of the meetings, both Nigeria and the United States expressed optimism about the future of their partnership and pledged continued cooperation through sustained diplomatic engagement, enhanced defence collaboration, and implementation of existing bilateral initiatives under the Joint Working Group framework.
