iNewsAfrica | Abuja | November 28, 2025
Abuja, Nigeria — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the selection of key national security figures—including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun—to serve on the newly constituted US–Nigeria Joint Working Group on Security Cooperation, a strategic platform designed to deepen bilateral counter-terrorism, intelligence, and defense collaboration between both nations.
The development signals Abuja’s renewed push to reposition Nigeria as a central security partner to Washington, especially amid growing concerns over terrorism, banditry, and geopolitical instability across West Africa.
According to insiders familiar with the decision, the working group will focus on four core areas:
Counter-terrorism coordination and intelligence sharing
Military modernization and training support
Police reform and advanced crime-fighting technology
Regional security stabilization, especially in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea
The choice of Ribadu and Egbetokun underscores the administration’s desire to pair experience with operational capacity. Ribadu, a former EFCC chairman with years of security expertise, is expected to lead the strategic intelligence components of the partnership. Egbetokun, on the other hand, is poised to drive reforms within the Nigeria Police Force as the US expands its technical assistance in crime prevention, cyber-security, and tactical training.
Diplomatic analysts view the move as part of a broader recalibration of Nigeria–US relations since renewed conversations on global security under the current US administration. Nigeria, home to one of the region’s largest defense forces, is seen as a key ally in stabilizing the Sahel, where extremist groups continue to expand their operations.
Washington has repeatedly emphasized the need for stronger partnerships with African democracies, and Tinubu’s approval of the joint working group aligns with that agenda.
For Nigeria, the cooperation offers an opportunity to secure advanced surveillance equipment, boost counter-terrorism operations, and improve border security—key priorities as insecurity continues to pose one of the greatest challenges to national stability.
The working group is expected to convene in the coming weeks to outline its first strategic action plan.
Follow iNewsAfrica channel on WhatsApp:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAPrqI96H4JXXQrKP1V
Leave a reply
Email: [email protected]
