United States President Donald Trump has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as his decisive leadership ...
The commendation was contained in a letter dated 6 July 2026, released on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In the letter, President Trump thanked President Tinubu for his correspondence and praised his commitment to tackling insecurity in Nigeria.
"I appreciate your decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people. I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities. It is a true honour to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous," Trump wrote.
The U.S. President described the relationship between Nigeria and the United States as crucial at a time when insecurity has spread across West Africa and other parts of the world.
According to Trump, both countries share a common objective of confronting terrorism in all its forms, adding that the U.S.-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has provided a strong framework for deepening security collaboration.
He said the United States had deployed its Special Operations Forces to support the Nigerian Armed Forces through training, intelligence sharing, and capacity building.
"I am proud to have deployed the United States Special Operations Forces—among the most elite military units anywhere in the world—to equip the brave men and women in the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the skills, tools and intelligence they need to protect your homeland and ensure the safety and security of citizens, particularly those of faith who have been under attack," the letter stated.
Trump also expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral cooperation during the remainder of his presidency.
According to the Presidency, security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States has expanded significantly in recent months. It noted that in November 2025, Presidents Tinubu and Trump agreed to establish a Joint Working Group, co-chaired by the National Security Advisers of both countries, to coordinate counterterrorism efforts.
The Presidency said the collaboration has focused on intelligence sharing, military training, and joint operations aimed at degrading terrorist groups operating in Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.
It added that one of the major outcomes of the partnership was the 16 May 2026 coordinated operation against ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad area, which reportedly resulted in the killing of the group's leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, along with several of his associates.
The statement further disclosed that the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, recently visited Abuja, where he met with senior Nigerian government officials and reaffirmed Washington's commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in security and other areas of mutual interest.
The letter was signed by Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, and its release was announced by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on 22 July 2026.
.jpg)
No comments