Trump praises Tinubu’s anti-terror efforts as Presidency cites security progress

Trump praises Tinubu’s anti-terror efforts as Presidency cites security progress

The Presidency has described the recent letter from US President Donald Trump to President Bola Tinubu as fresh evidence that the Tinubu administration is making significant progress in tackling insecurity and strengthening Nigeria’s strategic partnership with the United States.

Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he defended the administration’s security record and hailed the growing cooperation between Abuja and Washington.

Bwala was reacting to a letter dated July 6, 2026, in which Trump praised Tinubu’s leadership and commended his administration’s commitment to combating terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria.

According to Bwala, the letter represents international recognition of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve national security and deepen diplomatic and military collaboration with the United States.

“The facts speak for themselves. The letter is further proof of the progress we are making,” Bwala said.

He stressed that the Tinubu administration’s engagement with the United States was already producing tangible results before the letter became public.

“Does it mean if there was no letter, we would stop? No. Because we are already engaging and communicating with them,” he stated.

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Using a personal analogy to explain the significance of the correspondence, Bwala said receiving encouragement from a trusted partner reinforces an existing commitment rather than creating one.

“If you are in a relationship with a lady, and then because of the relationship, you write a letter encouraging her, or she writes a letter encouraging you, then you feel further strengthened but it does not stop your commitment,” he said.

The presidential aide also dismissed concerns over the timing of the letter’s release, arguing that Nigerians should focus on its message rather than when it was made public.

He maintained that the correspondence demonstrates growing confidence in Nigeria’s security reforms and reflects the strength of diplomatic ties between both countries.

According to Bwala, the enhanced partnership between Nigeria and the United States has led to improved intelligence sharing, military training and coordinated counter-terrorism operations.

He noted that one of the outcomes of the collaboration was the successful neutralisation of a senior ISIS commander and the disruption of planned terrorist activities, describing the development as evidence that international security cooperation is yielding results.

Trump commends Tinubu’s leadership

In the letter released by the Presidency through the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Trump thanked Tinubu for his earlier correspondence and praised his determination to confront terrorism and other security threats.

“Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Your kind words mean a great deal to me, and I appreciate your decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people,” Trump wrote.

He further applauded Tinubu’s resolve to address insecurity, particularly attacks on Christian communities, saying it was an honour for the United States to work alongside Nigeria in confronting terrorism.

Trump described the US-Nigeria relationship as increasingly important at a time when violent conflicts have spread across West Africa and other parts of the world.

He said both countries share a common objective of defeating terrorism in all its forms and noted that the US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap provides a solid framework for achieving that goal.

The US president also disclosed that the United States had deployed its elite Special Operations Forces to train members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, improve operational effectiveness and strengthen intelligence capabilities.

According to Trump, the deployment is intended to equip Nigerian troops with the skills, tools and intelligence needed to protect the country and safeguard its citizens against terrorist threats.

Nigeria-US security cooperation expands

The letter comes as Nigeria and the United States continue to deepen defence and intelligence cooperation through several bilateral initiatives.

Last November, both countries agreed to establish a Joint Working Group co-chaired by their National Security Advisers to coordinate intelligence sharing, military training and joint operations against terrorist organisations.

The partnership has reportedly contributed to recent counter-terrorism successes, including operations targeting senior terrorist leaders and efforts to dismantle extremist networks operating within the region.

The growing collaboration has also coincided with recent security achievements by Nigerian authorities, including the successful rescue of 44 pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity without the payment of ransom.

The Presidency believes continued cooperation with the United States will further strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to combat terrorism, improve regional stability and reinforce diplomatic and economic relations between both countries.

While reactions to Trump’s letter have generated political debate, the Federal Government insists the correspondence reflects growing international confidence in Nigeria’s security reforms and validates the administration’s efforts to restore peace and strengthen national security.

Trump praises Tinubu’s anti-terror efforts as Presidency cites security progress