President Bola Tinubu has approved the Nigerian delegation for the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group, with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu appointed to lead the team.
The group aims to deepen cooperation between Nigeria and the United States on security challenges.
The announcement was made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, noting that the group was formed following high-level engagements in Washington, DC. Ribadu will be supported by senior officials from key government ministries and security agencies.
Members include Yusuf Tuggar (Foreign Affairs), Abubakar Badaru (Defence), Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (Interior), Bernard Doro (Humanitarian Affairs), Olufemi Olukayode (Chief of Defence Staff), Mohammed Mohammed (Director-General, NIA), and Kayode Egbetokun (Inspector General of Police). Idayat Hassan (Office of the NSA) and Paul Alabi (Nigeria Embassy, US) will serve as secretariat.
President Tinubu urged the group to work closely with their US counterparts to operationalize bilateral agreements and reinforce Nigeria’s security framework. The formation of the Joint Working Group follows Nigeria being designated a “country of particular concern” by former US President Donald Trump over alleged attacks on Christians.
The initiative underscores Nigeria’s commitment to diplomatic engagement and proactive security collaboration with the United States.
