Abuja, November 28, 2025 – In a decisive move to enhance bilateral security collaboration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally approved the composition of Nigeria's delegation to the newly established US-Nigeria Joint Working Group (JWG). This development marks a critical operational milestone in fulfilling commitments made during a high-level diplomatic engagement in Washington, D.C., last week, underscoring Nigeria's proactive stance against escalating threats of terrorism, banditry, and cross-border crimes.
The JWG, envisioned as a multi-faceted platform for intelligence sharing, defense modernization, and humanitarian response, was agreed upon following intensive discussions led by Nigeria's National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. A statement released on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, detailed the Nigerian team's structure, emphasizing its multi-stakeholder design to integrate diplomatic, military, intelligence, and relief sectors.
At the helm of the Nigerian delegation stands NSA Nuhu Ribadu, a former pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) renowned for his expertise in anti-corruption and security reforms. Ribadu's leadership role is pivotal, given his instrumental involvement in the Washington negotiations, where he advocated for enhanced U.S. support in addressing Nigeria's multifaceted security challenges.
Supporting him is a formidable cadre of officials, including:
- Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who will anchor diplomatic coordination;
- Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Minister of Defence, tasked with advancing military interoperability;
- Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, focusing on internal security and border management;
- Dr. Bernard M. Doro, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, whose inclusion highlights the group's commitment to mitigating the socio-economic fallout of insecurity through targeted relief strategies;
- General Christopher Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff, bringing operational military insights;
- Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), for covert intelligence alignment;
- Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police, to bridge law enforcement with federal responses.
The secretariat, essential for administrative efficiency, will be co-managed by Ms. Idayat Hassan from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Mr. Paul Alabi, a diplomat at the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, ensuring seamless logistical and diplomatic flow.
President Tinubu, in his directive, charged the delegation with "working assiduously" alongside their American counterparts to expedite the implementation of all sectoral agreements. This mandate reflects the administration's broader "Renewed Hope" agenda, which prioritizes national security as a cornerstone for economic stability and investor confidence. "The safety of Nigerians remains our unwavering priority," Tinubu emphasized in the statement, reaffirming commitments to religious freedom, tolerance, and inclusive governance amid polarized threats.
Analysts view this as a strategic pivot from ad-hoc bilateral engagements to a structured, enduring partnership, potentially unlocking U.S. technical aid, training programs, and equipment transfers critical for Nigeria's fight against groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP.
The genesis of the JWG traces back to mid-November 2025, when Ribadu's delegation arrived in Washington amid a spike in northern Nigeria's violence. Recent reports indicate over 200 civilian deaths from insurgent attacks in Borno and Yobe states alone since October, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis displacing millions.
During the four-day mission, Nigerian officials engaged U.S. congressional leaders on Capitol Hill, White House faith-based advisors, and Pentagon strategists. Key outcomes included pledges for real-time intelligence fusion on arms trafficking routes from Libya and Sahel networks, joint exercises for rapid response units, and U.S.-funded upgrades to Nigeria's surveillance drones and cyber defenses.
This collaboration builds on a 15-year U.S.-Nigeria security lineage, including the 2010 Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership and post-2015 Boko Haram surge aid packages. However, recent U.S. policy shifts emphasizing human rights vetting for arms sales had strained ties in the past. The JWG represents a thaw, with renewed trust in Tinubu's reforms, such as the nationwide security emergency declared earlier this month.
Broader implications extend beyond immediate threats. Economically, stabilized borders could curb illicit mining fueling banditry in Zamfara and Niger states, safeguarding Nigeria's multi-billion-dollar solid minerals sector. Diplomatically, the group aligns with ECOWAS efforts against jihadist spillovers from Mali and Burkina Faso, reinforcing Nigeria's role as a regional anchor.
Stakeholder reactions have been largely positive. Civil society groups welcome the transparency in delegation announcements but urge public oversight mechanisms. On social media, many Nigerians expressed optimism, with commentators describing Ribadu's leadership as a "bold step forward."
As the first JWG plenary—expected in the coming weeks—approaches, all eyes are on tangible deliverables. President Tinubu's approval not only operationalizes a vital alliance but signals to global partners that Nigeria is resolute in reclaiming security sovereignty. In an era of hybrid threats, this U.S.-Nigeria synergy could redefine West African stability, offering a blueprint for adaptive, people-centered security architecture.
