14/08/2026
Breaking NSA Ribadu Leads Nigerian Delegation to US-Nigeria Security Talks in Washington
Ada Ononye
Nigeria and the United States are holding high-level talks in Washington on security and religious freedom, following Nigeria’s designation by the Trump administration as a “Country of Particular Concern”.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu is leading the Nigerian delegation to the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group, while US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Ho**er is heading the American team.
The talks are focusing on counterterrorism measures, progress in bilateral cooperation and the next steps for both countries.
A separate bilateral defence meeting is scheduled for Thursday.
The Joint Working Group was established following President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom.
Its first meeting was held in Abuja in January, when both countries agreed to deepen cooperation on counterterrorism, protect vulnerable communities and strengthen measures to safeguard religious freedom.
The Nigerian delegation in Washington includes Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Defence Minister Christopher Musa, Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sola Enikanolaiye, Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jimoh Ibrahim, are also part of the delegation.
The Washington meeting is the latest in a series of engagements between Abuja and Washington aimed at strengthening security cooperation while addressing US concerns over religious freedom and the protection of vulnerable communities in Nigeria.
