President Bola Tinubu has named the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, to head Nigeria’s delegation to a newly created US–Nigeria Joint Working Group aimed at boosting cooperation on key security issues.
The announcement was made on Thursday by presidential spokesperson Mr Bayo Onanuga, who explained that the initiative emerged from Ribadu’s recent high-level meetings in Washington, D.C.
According to Onanuga, the structure is intended to enhance bilateral coordination between Abuja and Washington in confronting terrorism, violent extremism, banditry and other cross-border threats facing the country.
“Ribadu is to lead the Nigerian side of the Joint Working Group, supported by a multi-stakeholder team comprising senior officials from relevant government establishments,” Onanuga stated.
The Presidency said the team will include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Bernard M. Doro.
Also listed are the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Mohammed Mohammed; and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.
The statement noted that Ms Idayat Hassan from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Mr Paul Alabi of the Nigerian Embassy in the United States will act as the secretariat of the Working Group.
Onanuga added that President Tinubu has charged the delegation to collaborate closely with their US counterparts to ensure the effective rollout of all areas of cooperation.
The establishment of the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group marks another step in ongoing efforts to reinforce security and defence relations between the two nations.
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