By Ochiaka Ugwu
Nigerian government and United States have evaluated the progress made in bilateral counterterrorism efforts even as they move to strengthen security and defence cooperation, reviewing plans for return and enhanced protection of IDPs, intelligence gathering and coordination.
In a statement released in Abuja Thursday signed by Spokesperson of Nigerian Foreign Ministry, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, it noted that Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye were part of Nigerian delegation to USA-NIGERIA JOINT WORKING GROUP Meeting in Washington DC to evaluate progress in bilateral counterterrorism efforts and charting the next phase of security collaboration between Nigeria and the United States of America.
According to the statement, “Nigerian delegation is led by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Nigeria’s National Security Adviser whilst the United States delegation is led by Allison Hooker, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.
“The first edition of this meeting was held in Abuja in January 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation on security and intelligence sharing, protection of vulnerable communities, particularly at risk of religiously motivated violence, and other areas of mutual interest.
“These sessions are geared towards strengthening Nigeria–United States security and defence cooperation, reviewing plans for return and enhanced protection of IDPs, intelligence gathering and coordination, tackling terror financing, holding perpetrators accountable, more effective border control measures to stem the flow of illicit goods, resources and people, and a strategic review of the Defense Roadmap” the statement concluded.
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