A high-level delegation from the United States Embassy in Nigeria has held a strategic meeting with a senior aide to President Bola Tinubu, focusing on the persistent security challenges in the country's Middle Belt region.
Focus on Understanding and Supporting Peace
The engagement took place in Abuja on Friday, November 28, 2025. The American team, led by Deputy Political Counsellor Dianna Palequin and including the Embassy's Human Rights Officer and Dave Young, met with Dr Abiodun Essiet, the President's Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement for the North Central zone.
Discussions centred on understanding the root causes of the recurring tensions and violence affecting communities across the North Central states. The US delegation expressed a continued interest in supporting credible local initiatives aimed at conflict reduction and strengthening community relations in vulnerable areas.
Calls for Stronger Collaboration
Both sides emphasised the need for stronger partnerships to tackle the security pressures plaguing the region. The talks reviewed the Tinubu administration's community engagement plan, which is being coordinated through Dr Essiet's office.
Dr Essiet welcomed the Embassy's steady involvement in peace-related projects. She reaffirmed President Tinubu's commitment to ensuring the safety of all Nigerians and stated that the government is actively pursuing solutions that address both immediate security concerns and long-term stability.
Broader Context of Diplomatic Engagements
This meeting is part of a broader effort by the Nigerian government to attract international support for initiatives that reinforce unity and prevent renewed unrest. Dr Essiet's office has recently intensified outreach to community leaders and civil groups to promote dialogue and rebuild trust in violence-affected areas.
The engagement also aligns with wider bilateral security cooperation. This follows the recent formation of a US-Nigeria Joint Working Group, announced after a high-level visit to the United States by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
President Tinubu has appointed a dedicated Nigerian delegation to this group, led by Ribadu. The team includes senior figures from key security, intelligence, and diplomatic institutions, such as the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Interior, and Humanitarian Affairs, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector General of Police.
Their mandate is to coordinate directly with American counterparts to fast-track the implementation of security agreements reached during the Washington talks.
