By Atoyebi Nike
The United States and Nigeria have agreed to form a Joint Working Group to oversee a renewed phase of defense and security collaboration after a series of high-level meetings in Washington, D.C., last week.
The announcement was made in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said the talks strengthened “a constructive and solution-driven partnership” and addressed what Nigeria called damaging misconceptions about its security landscape.
Led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the Nigerian delegation used the engagements to firmly dismiss claims of state-sanctioned or religiously targeted genocide, stressing that violent attacks cut across all communities.
According to Onanuga, the U.S. expressed readiness to expand cooperation through enhanced intelligence sharing, faster processing of defense equipment requests, and potential access to excess American defense assets to support Nigeria’s operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups. Washington also indicated a willingness to provide humanitarian assistance and technical support for early-warning systems.
Both sides agreed to activate a new cooperation framework immediately and set up the Joint Working Group to coordinate intelligence, defense engagement, and humanitarian interventions more effectively.
Nigeria, for its part, reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening civilian protection as security forces intensify operations against extremist groups.
Onanuga said the talks helped “correct misconceptions about Nigeria” and bolstered mutual trust between both countries.
The Nigerian delegation included Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye, and other senior officials.
