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National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has led a high-level Nigerian delegation to Washington, D.C., for the Nigeria-United States Joint Working Group meeting focused on counterterrorism and security cooperation.
The meeting is reviewing progress in security cooperation between both countries and considering further steps to strengthen joint efforts against terrorism and other security threats.
A bilateral defence meeting was also held on Thursday as part of the ongoing engagements between Nigerian and US officials.
The Nigerian delegation includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
Others are the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim.
The United States delegation is led by Allison Hooker, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.
The discussions are expected to cover counterterrorism cooperation, progress made under existing security arrangements and areas requiring further collaboration.
The engagement underscores the importance both countries attach to strengthening bilateral security and defence cooperation.
Nigeria and the United States have maintained security cooperation covering counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, defence and other areas of national security.
The latest high-level engagement comes amid Nigeria’s continuing efforts to strengthen its capacity to combat terrorism and other security threats. The United States has also remained an important partner in Nigeria’s broader counterterrorism and security efforts.
The Joint Working Group provides a platform for officials from both countries to assess existing cooperation, address emerging security concerns and identify areas for deeper collaboration.
