US Reaffirms Support for Nigeria’s Counter-Terrorism Efforts After High-Level Security Talks
The United States has restated its commitment to partnering with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism, following a high-level security engagement reportedly held at the Pentagon on November 20. According to details shared in a social-media update, the meeting brought together senior U.S. defence officials and a Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
The discussion, hosted by U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, centred on strengthening collaboration against extremist groups operating in West Africa. Officials from both countries were said to have reviewed ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and explored new areas of cooperation, including intelligence sharing, operational support and strategic coordination.
The engagement coincided with deliberations in the U.S. Congress on accusations of Christian persecution in Nigeria — an issue that has drawn growing attention from American legislators and advocacy groups. In line with this, the readout cited in the report noted that discussions touched on what was described as “tangible progress” toward curbing violence against Christian communities and confronting jihadist organisations across the West African sub-region.
U.S. officials emphasised the need for sustained action and reinforced collaboration, while the Nigerian side reiterated its commitment to combating terrorism and securing affected communities. Although the full details of the Pentagon meeting have not been officially released by either government, the message aligns with broader diplomatic exchanges in recent weeks in which Washington and Abuja have been reassessing the scope of their security partnership.
The renewed assurances come at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with persistent security challenges, from insurgent attacks to rural violence and targeted killings.
With pressure mounting both domestically and internationally, the discussions signal a fresh phase of engagement between the two allies as they navigate shared security concerns.
