United States President Donald Trump has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as strong leadership and determination in tackling terrorism in Nigeria, while reaffirming support for continued security cooperation between both countries.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Trump conveyed his remarks in a letter dated July 6, 2026, addressed to President Tinubu.
In the letter, Trump commended Tinubu's efforts to address security challenges facing Nigeria, particularly terrorism and attacks affecting communities across the country. He expressed support for Nigeria's fight against extremist groups and stated his commitment to strengthening relations between the two nations.
The statement noted that U.S.-Nigeria relations have witnessed increased collaboration in recent years, especially in the areas of security and counterterrorism. It added that both countries agreed in November last year to establish a Joint Security Partnership Committee, led by their respective national security advisers, to enhance training, intelligence sharing, and coordinated operations against terrorist groups.
According to the presidential statement, one of the notable outcomes of the partnership was a military operation carried out on May 16 against an ISIS hideout in the Lake Chad region. The operation reportedly resulted in the death of Abubakar Al-Minoki, identified as a senior ISIS leader, alongside several commanders.
The statement also referenced the recent visit of the United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, to Abuja, where he met with senior Nigerian government officials and reiterated Washington's commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation on security and other strategic areas.
Trump, in the letter, described U.S.-Nigeria relations as increasingly important at a time of rising security challenges in West Africa and other parts of the world. He said the 2026 U.S.-Nigeria Security Cooperation Framework provides a structured approach to combating terrorism and addressing shared security concerns.
He further noted that the United States had deployed special military personnel to assist in training Nigerian security forces, providing expertise, equipment support, and intelligence capabilities aimed at improving national security and protecting civilians.
Trump also expressed optimism about maintaining dialogue with President Tinubu and expanding cooperation between the two countries throughout the remainder of the administration's tenure.
The development underscores ongoing efforts by Nigeria and the United States to deepen security collaboration amid continued threats posed by terrorist and extremist groups operating within the region.
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