United States President Donald Trump has commended President Bola Tinubu for his decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people, particularly in addressing violence affecting Christian communities and combating terrorism.
Trump's Letter to Tinubu
In a letter dated July 6, 2026, President Trump expressed appreciation for Tinubu's resolve to tackle the issues plaguing Nigeria. Trump stated: "It is a true honour to stand with you in the fight against these terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous."
The letter highlighted the importance of the US-Nigeria relationship at a time when conflict has spread across West Africa and the world. Trump noted their mutual goal of confronting terrorism in all its forms and referenced the historic US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap as a robust framework for this effort.
Security Collaboration Intensifies
The US-Nigeria partnership has flourished in recent times, with close cooperation in key areas such as security. In November 2025, both presidents agreed to establish a Joint Working Group co-headed by their National Security Advisers. This working group has facilitated training, intelligence sharing, and joint operations to roll back terrorist activities.
A major achievement of this collaboration was the coordinated attack on May 16, 2026, targeting ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad area. The operation led to the killing of the group's top leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, and many of his lieutenants.
US Support and High-Level Visits
President Trump confirmed the deployment of US Special Operations Forces to equip the Nigerian Armed Forces with skills, tools, and intelligence needed to protect the homeland and ensure safety, especially for faith communities under attack.
Last week, US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja, where he met senior government officials and pledged to strengthen cooperation in security and other areas.
The full text of Trump's letter, released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), on July 22, 2026, underscores the deepening ties between the two nations.
