President Bola Tinubu has approved the Nigerian component of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group, created to strengthen bilateral coordination on security issues. The announcement followed a recent Washington, DC, visit by a Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu.

Key details:

• Nuhu Ribadu will lead Nigeria’s side of the Joint Working Group.
• Members include top officials across security, defence, and intelligence:
  • Minister of Foreign Affairs: Yusuf Maitama Tuggar
  • Minister of Defence: Mohammed Badaru Abubakar
  • Minister of Interior: Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
  • Minister of Humanitarian Affairs: Bernard M. Doro
  • Chief of Defence Staff: General Olufemi Oluyede
  • Director-General, NIA: Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed
  • Inspector-General of Police: Kayode Egbetokun
• Secretariat support: Ms Idayat Hassan (ONSA) and Mr Paul Alabi (Nigerian Embassy, US)

The Joint Working Group aims to:

• Enhance intelligence sharing
• Improve strategic planning and coordination
• Strengthen counter-terrorism initiatives and military cooperation
• Bolster Nigeria’s internal security management

President Tinubu emphasized the need for close collaboration with US counterparts to ensure the successful implementation of all security agreements reached during the Washington meetings.