National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu on Sunday received a visiting team of lawmakers from the United States Congress in Abuja, extending ongoing security engagements between both countries.
Sharing the development on X, Ribadu explained that the latest meeting builds on earlier conversations held in Washington, D.C., where Nigeria and the US reviewed shared defence concerns and cooperation priorities.
“This morning, I received a US Congressional delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, following our earlier engagements in Washington, DC, on shared security priorities,” he stated.
According to him, the visiting team included Rep. @MarioDB Mario Díaz-Balart, Rep. @NormaJTorres Norma Torres, Rep. @RepFranklin Scott Franklin, Rep. @RepCiscomani Juan Ciscomani, and Rep. @RepRileyMoore Riley M. Moore.
Ribadu also mentioned that the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, was part of the session, a presence he said reflects “the significance both countries place on this partnership.”
He noted that the discussions focused on strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation, enhancing stability across the sub-region, and exploring additional avenues to reinforce the longstanding strategic security alliance between Abuja and Washington.
“I’m optimistic this engagement will deepen trust, collaboration, and shared commitment to peace and security,” he added.
The meeting came at a delicate moment in Nigeria–US relations, following US President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged violations of religious freedoms — a step that raised international attention and included warnings of potential American military involvement.
Nigeria has repeatedly disputed such claims, insisting that insecurity affects citizens from all religious backgrounds and does not reflect systemic persecution.
Despite intensifying global scrutiny, Abuja has continued to push for stronger diplomatic and defence support from international partners.
On November 20, Ribadu held talks with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, where both sides explored coordinated responses to Nigeria’s worsening security pressures.
One week later, on November 27, President Bola Tinubu approved the Nigerian membership list for the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group — a structure designed to boost bilateral cooperation on security. The move followed agreements reached during the Nigerian delegation’s recent visit to Washington, led by Ribadu.
What you should know
Nuhu Ribadu’s latest meeting with US lawmakers signals Nigeria’s effort to reinforce its security alliances during a tense diplomatic period.
The discussion follows recent engagements in Washington and comes after the US placed Nigeria back on its religious freedom watchlist, a decision the Nigerian government strongly disputes. Despite the controversy, both sides continue to pursue deeper collaboration on counter-terrorism and regional stability.
Nigeria has already activated a Joint Working Group with the US to coordinate security responses, underscoring the urgency of addressing widespread insecurity and strengthening strategic ties with global partners.
