Ribadu Briefs US Vice President Vance on Security Reforms, Counterterrorism Efforts
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has held a strategic meeting with United States Vice President J. D. Vance, during which he briefed him on ongoing reforms and operational measures being implemented by the Federal Government to improve national security, stabilise communities affected by insecurity, and address the root causes of violence and instability.
A statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that Ribadu undertook a three-day working visit to the United States from May 4 to May 6, during which he held a series of high-level engagements with senior US government officials.
According to the statement, Ribadu conveyed President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the United States in counterterrorism, defence cooperation, intelligence sharing, regional security, economic resilience, and democratic governance.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening its longstanding strategic partnership with the United States.
During the visit, Ribadu met with the US Acting National Security Adviser and Secretary of State, Mr. Marco Rubio; the Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Ms. Allison Hooker; and Assistant Secretary of War, Mr. Daniel Zimmerim.
The meetings provided an opportunity for both countries to review the current state of Nigeria-United States relations and explore ways of strengthening cooperation in counterterrorism, defence collaboration, intelligence sharing, regional security, economic resilience, and democratic governance.
During the engagements, Ribadu stressed the importance of sustained international cooperation in addressing emerging security threats confronting West Africa and the wider Sahel region, particularly terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, and cyber threats.
The NSA stated that Nigeria remained fully committed to working with international partners to promote peace, stability, democratic governance, and economic development across Africa.
He also underscored Nigeria’s position as a regional leader and frontline state in counterterrorism efforts across the Lake Chad Basin and West Africa.
Discussions further focused on the evolving security situation in the Sahel, the need for stronger regional cooperation, and the importance of enhancing institutional capacity to respond effectively to complex and asymmetric threats.
During his meeting with Ms. Hooker at the US Department of State, Ribadu expressed Nigeria’s appreciation to the US government for its continued support in areas including security assistance, intelligence collaboration, defence capacity building, humanitarian support, and counterterrorism operations.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the agreed roadmap under the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group (JWG), established to advance structured bilateral cooperation on strategic and security matters.
Both sides reviewed progress made under the JWG framework and discussed practical measures to strengthen implementation of agreed initiatives, including intelligence sharing, military cooperation, counterterrorism support, border security, strategic communications, and capacity development for Nigerian security institutions.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of maintaining regular communication channels and improving institutional coordination between both countries in tackling shared security challenges.
Ribadu further emphasised the Tinubu administration’s whole-of-government approach to security, which combines kinetic and non-kinetic measures such as community engagement, economic development, deradicalisation initiatives, and regional partnerships.
US officials commended Nigeria’s continued leadership role in regional peace and security efforts and acknowledged the country’s strategic importance to the United States in Africa.
Both countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to democratic values, regional stability, economic cooperation, and the promotion of sustainable peace and security across West Africa and the Sahel.
The meetings concluded with a mutual commitment to deepen bilateral engagement through sustained diplomatic dialogue, enhanced defence and security cooperation, and effective implementation of ongoing initiatives under the Joint Working Group framework.
According to Mr. Onanuga, both Nigeria and the United States expressed optimism about the future of the strategic partnership and reaffirmed their readiness to continue working closely to advance shared regional and global interests.
