President Bola Tinubu has taken a significant step in strengthening Nigeria's strategic partnership with the United States by establishing a high-level diplomatic committee. This move aims to enhance cooperation between both nations on critical areas including security, trade, and governance.
Composition of the Strategic Delegation
The newly formed team will be led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, who recently headed a high-level trip to Washington that resulted in the creation of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group. The delegation comprises senior officials from key security, intelligence, and diplomatic institutions.
The committee members include: Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Dr Bernard M Doro. Other crucial members are Chief of Defence Staff Gen Olufemi Oluyede, Director General of the National Intelligence Agency Amb Mohammed Mohammed, and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.
Ms Idayat Hassan from the Office of the National Security Adviser and Mr Paul Alabi from the Nigerian Embassy in the United States will serve as the secretariat for the working group.
Mandate and Strategic Objectives
The presidency confirmed that the delegation has been mandated to negotiate broader cooperation frameworks that will support Nigeria's economic reforms and regional stability efforts. President Tinubu has directed the team to work with focus and ensure the smooth operationalization of all agreed areas of cooperation.
The working group is expected to enhance coordination and improve Nigeria's ability to tackle threats that have challenged national stability. The members are tasked with coordinating directly with their American counterparts to fast-track implementation of security agreements reached during recent discussions in Washington.
Diplomatic Context and Tensions
This development comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions following comments from United States officials about alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had indicated that the Department of War was preparing for possible action after former President Donald Trump claimed Christian communities were facing targeted attacks.
The White House had accused the Nigerian government of ignoring what it described as a Christian genocide, allegations that Abuja has strongly rejected as unfounded and driven by misinformation. President Tinubu maintains that these claims do not represent the reality in Nigeria and has reiterated that religious freedom remains a core principle of the country.
Nigeria's Foreign Ministry has previously responded to Trump's claims, stating that they do not reflect the actual situation on the ground. The formation of this high-level committee represents a proactive approach to addressing these concerns through diplomatic channels while strengthening bilateral relations.
The establishment of this strategic engagement team underscores Nigeria's commitment to maintaining strong international partnerships while safeguarding its national interests and addressing security challenges through collaborative frameworks.
