- US signals fresh security cooperation with Nigeria, including intelligence and defence support.
- Nigerian delegation in Washington rejects genocide claims as misleading and divisive.
- Both countries set up a joint working group to fast-track security collaboration.
- Trump’s recent threat to send US troops to Nigeria heightens global attention on insecurity.
The Presidency on Monday announced that the United States government is prepared to strengthen security ties with Nigeria, signalling a renewed partnership built on intelligence sharing, supply of defence hardware, and coordinated support for military operations across conflict-prone regions.
This commitment follows a series of strategic meetings in Washington, D.C., where top Nigerian officials, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu held extensive talks with senior US government agencies, including officials from the US Congress, the National Security Council, the State Department, the White House Faith Office, and the Department of War.
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According to a statement by Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the high-level engagements were designed to reset Nigeria–US relations, correct lingering misconceptions about the country’s security crisis, and build a long-term framework that protects vulnerable communities, especially in the Middle Belt.
Onanuga explained that the Nigerian delegation firmly rejected allegations of genocide, stressing that violent attacks cut across multiple religions and ethnicities. He said the government warned that “wrongful framing” of Nigeria’s security situation would only deepen division and distort the complex realities on the ground.
He noted: “The Nigerian representatives rejected the wrongful framing of the situation, warning that such portrayals would only divide Nigerians and distort the realities on the ground.”
The delegation included Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Intelligence Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and senior officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Onanuga added that the discussions helped “forge a constructive, solution-driven partnership with the United States,” ensuring a coordinated approach to securing communities torn apart by terrorism and extremist violence.
He also revealed that the US pledged complementary support such as humanitarian assistance for displaced families and technical backing to strengthen Nigeria’s early-warning systems.
Both countries agreed to immediately begin work under a non-binding cooperation framework, backed by a new Joint Working Group that will streamline communication, monitor progress, and align security strategies.
The Federal Government also reiterated its commitment to improving civilian protection measures and safeguarding religious freedom.
Onanuga said: “The Federal Government restates its awareness of heightened sensitivities regarding religious freedom and security, and urges citizens to remain assured that firm, urgent, and coordinated steps are being taken to secure the nation.”
The renewed partnership comes on the heels of a controversial statement by former US President Donald Trump, who recently threatened to send American forces into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” if the government failed to stop what he called the killing of Christians.
Trump had declared Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” describing the situation as a “mass slaughter.”
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In his words: “If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing.’”
He added: “I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet.”
President Tinubu has since dismissed the genocide narrative, insisting that Nigeria remains committed to religious tolerance, and arguing that the conflict is far more complex than the global conversation suggests.
As both countries activate fresh security commitments, analysts say the new partnership could reset perceptions, ease tensions, and influence how foreign governments engage with Nigeria’s internal security challenges.
