Nigeria, US Strengthen Defence Partnership at Washington Talks WASHINGTON D.C./ABUJA AUGUST 13, 2026 BY MATTHEW SAIZA
Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence and security cooperation, with a focus on counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing and enhanced military collaboration.
The development followed high-level engagements between Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, and senior United States officials in Washington D.C.
In a release signed by the Special Assistant to the Nigerian Defence Minister on Media, Leah Katung Babatunde, the strategic meeting holds at the Pentagon, with General Musa
accompanied by a high-powered Nigerian delegation, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. General Parker Udiandeye, alongside other senior military officers.
The Nigerian delegation held discussions with senior officials of the U.S. Department of War, led by Julia Sokol, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for International Security Affairs.
The talks formed part of the United States–Nigeria Joint Working Group Defence Bilateral Discussions, with deliberations centred on shared security architecture, intelligence cooperation and operational coordination.
The broader diplomatic mission, led by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, was in the United States for the second meeting of the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, held from August 12 to 13, 2026.
The meeting, co-chaired by Ribadu and Allison Hooker, the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, reviewed progress and strategic frameworks following Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to sustained dialogue, mutual respect and a stronger strategic partnership to address regional and global security threats.
The engagements are expected to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in tackling terrorism and other emerging security challenges.
