President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Nigerian side of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group as part of efforts to deepen collaboration with the US in addressing the country’s security concerns.
The team was formed following a recent visit to Washington, DC by a high-level Nigerian delegation led by Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser.
Ribadu will lead the multi-agency team, which includes senior personnel from important security and foreign policy organizations.
Members of the working group, as contained in a statement signed by the president’s aide, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard M. Doro; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Mohammed Mohammed; and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
“Ms. Idayat Hassan of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Mr. Paul Alabi of the Embassy of Nigeria in the US will serve as the secretariat,” the statement added.
Tinubu asked authorities to collaborate closely with their US counterparts to ensure the successful implementation of all security agreements achieved during the visit.
The US-Nigeria Joint Working Group is expected to coordinate bilateral efforts to combat terrorism, strengthen defense cooperation, and promote regional stability.
The security alliance has increased urgency in recent weeks as a result of US leadership statements.
US President Donald Trump recently classified Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for alleged religious-freedom abuses and threatened military action if attacks on Christians continued.
Trump’s words increased pressure on Nigeria’s administration to respond more forcefully to insecurity.
