Trump Commends Tinubu Over Anti-Terrorism Efforts, Reaffirms US Support
ABUJA – United States President Donald Trump has commended President Bola Tinubu for his leadership in tackling terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly efforts aimed at protecting Christian communities affected by violent attacks.
The commendation was contained in a letter dated July 6, 2026, addressed to President Tinubu. Details of the correspondence were made public on Wednesday through a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In the letter, Trump praised Tinubu’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges and reaffirmed the United States’ readiness to strengthen cooperation with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
According to the statement, the US President described the relationship between both countries as critical, especially as security threats continue to spread across West Africa.
Trump noted that the US–Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has provided a solid framework for expanding bilateral security collaboration and confronting terrorism in all its forms.
He also highlighted ongoing military cooperation between both nations, stating that the United States has deployed Special Operations Forces to support the Nigerian Armed Forces through training, intelligence sharing and operational assistance.
The Presidency said Nigeria and the United States have intensified security collaboration in recent months through a Joint Working Group jointly led by the National Security Advisers of both countries.
According to the statement, the partnership has focused on intelligence exchange, military capacity building and coordinated operations against terrorist groups operating in the region.
It added that one of the outcomes of the collaboration was a coordinated operation carried out on May 16 against ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad region, during which the group’s senior leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, and several of his commanders were reportedly killed.
The statement further disclosed that US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, recently visited Abuja, where he held talks with senior Nigerian government officials and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria on security and other strategic issues.
The renewed commitment underscores the growing security partnership between Nigeria and the United States as both countries seek to strengthen regional stability and combat terrorism across West Africa.
