Nigeria and the United States have agreed on a fresh security cooperation framework aimed at addressing the country’s deepening violence and insurgency threats, following a high-level engagement in Washington, DC.
The Nigerian delegation, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, met with top officials from the US Congress, White House Faith Office, State Department, National Security Council and the Department of War to discuss allegations of “Christian genocide” and Nigeria’s wider security challenges.
According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the talks opened new avenues for intelligence sharing, streamlined defence equipment requests and the possible supply of excess US military hardware to boost ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
Nigeria’s representatives strongly rejected claims of a targeted genocide, insisting that violence across the country affects both Christian and Muslim communities, as well as multiple ethnic groups. Onanuga said the delegation warned against what it described as “wrongful framing” that could deepen national divisions.
US officials, after the engagements, reportedly affirmed readiness to strengthen cooperation, pledging humanitarian assistance to crisis-impacted communities—particularly in the Middle Belt—and support for enhancing early-warning systems to prevent mass atrocities.
Both nations agreed on the immediate rollout of a non-binding cooperation framework and the creation of a Joint Working Group to coordinate intelligence, security reforms and civilian protection strategies.
Onanuga added that the Nigerian delegation reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving safeguards for civilians, rebuilding trust in troubled regions and reinforcing military operations against extremist groups.
