Tinubu sets up high-level delegation to engage Trump administration on Nigeria’s security crisis

Tinubu sets up high-level delegation to engage Trump administration on Nigeria’s security crisis

President Bola Tinubu has assembled a new high-level delegation for strategic talks with the U.S.–Nigeria Joint Working Group as Nigeria seeks deeper security cooperation with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu will lead the delegation, which includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Bernard Doro, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency Mohammed Mohammed, and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.

According to Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the delegation follows recent high-level security engagements in Washington, D.C., and is expected to pursue expanded cooperation in counterterrorism and defence support. Ms Idayat Hassan of ONSA and Paul Alabi of the Nigerian Embassy in the U.S. will serve as the secretariat.

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The move comes amid rising diplomatic tension after the United States, under Trump, designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern”, with the U.S. president threatening stronger intervention over alleged persecution of Christians and escalating insecurity. Trump, in recent remarks, described Nigeria as “a disgrace,” accusing the Tinubu administration of failing to curb widespread killings.

Last week, Ribadu’s team met senior members of Trump’s cabinet, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Congressman Riley Moore, who were directed to investigate Nigeria’s security situation.

In a related development, President Tinubu has nominated new non-career ambassadors to key global capitals. Former NIA Director-General Ayodele Oke was named ambassador to the United States, pending Senate approval. Ambassadors were also nominated for the United Kingdom and France.

Tinubu sets up high-level delegation to engage Trump administration on Nigeria’s security crisis