Ribadu meets U.S. Vice President JD Vance over security, counterterrorism cooperation

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has held a strategic meeting with United States Vice President, JD Vance, as part of efforts to deepen security and counterterrorism cooperation between both countries.

According to a statement issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Ribadu undertook a three-day working visit to the United States from May 4 to May 6, where he engaged top American officials on regional security, intelligence sharing, defence collaboration, and democratic governance.

During the meeting, Ribadu briefed U.S. officials on ongoing reforms and operational strategies being implemented by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improve security, stabilise conflict-affected communities, and tackle the root causes of insecurity across Nigeria.

The NSA also conveyed President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s long-standing strategic partnership with the United States, particularly in counterterrorism operations, defence cooperation, intelligence exchange, and economic resilience.

As part of the visit, Ribadu also met with U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, Undersecretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim.

Discussions focused heavily on the worsening security situation across West Africa and the Sahel region, including terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, and transnational organised crime.

Ribadu stressed that Nigeria remains committed to regional peace and stability, noting the country’s frontline role in counterterrorism efforts within the Lake Chad Basin and the wider West African subregion.

He also highlighted the Federal Government’s “whole-of-government” security strategy, which combines military operations with non-kinetic measures such as economic development, community engagement, deradicalisation programmes, and regional cooperation.

The meetings further reviewed progress under the Nigeria–U.S. Joint Working Group framework, which covers intelligence sharing, military collaboration, border security, strategic communications, and institutional capacity building.

U.S. officials reportedly commended Nigeria’s leadership role in regional security efforts and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through sustained diplomatic and security cooperation.

Both countries ended the meetings with renewed commitments to deepen bilateral relations and strengthen collaboration in addressing shared regional and global security challenges.