United States President Donald Trump has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s handling of Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, pledging deeper security cooperation between Washington and Abuja, as both countries intensify efforts to combat insurgency across Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.
In a letter dated July 6, released on Wednesday in response to an earlier correspondence from Tinubu, Trump praised the Nigerian leader’s resolve to confront terrorism, describing the partnership between both nations as vital to regional and global security.
Trump said Tinubu’s determination to tackle insecurity, particularly attacks affecting Christian communities, reflected decisive leadership aimed at strengthening Nigeria.
He assured the Nigerian president of continued American support, stating that it was an honour for the United States to stand alongside Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and in efforts to make the country stronger and more prosperous.
The US president also described relations between both countries as increasingly important amid rising insecurity across West Africa and other parts of the world.
According to Trump, the US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has created a solid framework for expanding military collaboration, intelligence sharing and joint counter-terrorism operations between the two governments.
Trump disclosed that the United States had deployed its Special Operations Forces to support the Nigerian Armed Forces with specialised training, intelligence and operational capabilities required to combat terrorism and safeguard lives.
He said the elite military personnel were helping Nigerian troops acquire the skills and tools needed to defend the country and protect vulnerable communities, particularly those targeted by terrorist groups.
A statement issued by the special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States had expanded significantly in recent months.
The statement revealed that both leaders agreed in November last year to establish a Joint Working Group, co-chaired by the National Security Advisers of both countries, to coordinate counter-terrorism operations and strengthen strategic collaboration.
According to the presidency, the working group has enhanced military training, intelligence exchange and joint operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks operating in Nigeria and around the Lake Chad basin.
One of its major achievements was the coordinated operation carried out on May 16 against ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad area, during which top terrorist leader Abubakar Al-Minoki and at least 167 other fighters were killed.
The presidency also noted that the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja last week, where he met senior Nigerian government officials and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria on security and other strategic priorities.
Nigeria’s security agencies have also intensified coordinated operations across various theatres, leading to the rescue of hundreds of abducted victims in states including Borno, Kaduna and Niger. Among the notable operations was the rescue of more than 40 teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after they had been held captive by kidnappers in the National Park forest for 56 days.
Recent military operations have recorded significant gains against terrorist groups. Troops neutralised 317 terrorists and other criminal elements in May, arrested 314 suspects, secured the surrender of 18 terrorists and rescued 221 civilians. Several top ISWAP commanders have also surrendered, while Abu Salim al-Barnawi, identified as the group’s raid commander and chief propagandist, was killed alongside key members of his media team during a failed attack in Borno State.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaye, described Trump’s letter as recognition of President Tinubu’s leadership and the Nigerian military’s successes against terrorism.
International affairs expert and former Federal University Oye-Ekiti Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Soremekun, also welcomed the development, urging the Federal Government to sustain the security offensive while addressing structural challenges that fuel terrorism and banditry.
He said ongoing efforts to establish state police and tackle underlying socio-economic issues would strengthen Nigeria’s long-term fight against insecurity.
