Nigeria and US Hold Security Talks in Washington

Nigeria and the United States reviewed and agreed to strengthen cooperation on security, counterterrorism, and regional stability during high-level meetings in Washington this month. Nigeria's national security adviser undertook a three-day working visit to the United States from May 4 to May 6.

During that period the adviser held talks with the U.S. vice president, the secretary of state who is also acting national security adviser, the undersecretary for political affairs and an assistant secretary of defense. The meetings allowed both governments to assess the current state of bilateral relations.

The discussions focused on counterterrorism, defense cooperation, intelligence sharing, regional security in West Africa and the Sahel, economic resilience, and democratic governance.

Both sides reviewed implementation of a roadmap established under the Nigeria-U.S. Joint Working Group. Officials discussed practical steps to improve intelligence sharing, military cooperation, border security, strategic communications and capacity building for Nigerian security institutions.

They agreed to maintain regular channels of communication to address shared challenges. The national security adviser briefed U.S. These include a whole-of-government approach that combines military operations with community engagement, economic development, deradicalisation programs and regional partnerships aimed at addressing root causes of insecurity.

U.S. officials commended Nigeria's leadership role in regional peace and security efforts and described the country as a strategic partner in Africa. Both governments reaffirmed their shared commitment to democratic values, regional stability and sustainable peace across West Africa and the Sahel.

The meetings ended with a mutual commitment to deepen bilateral engagement through diplomatic dialogue, enhanced defense and security cooperation, and continued work under the Joint Working Group framework. Both sides expressed optimism about the future of the strategic partnership.