1.1K
By Lizzy Chirkpi
President Bola Tinubu has approved the Nigerian contingent of the United States–Nigeria Joint Working Group, a move aimed at bolstering security cooperation between both nations.
The announcement follows a high-level visit to Washington, D.C., by a Nigerian delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who will chair the newly formed multi-agency team. The group comprises senior officials from key security and foreign affairs institutions.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the President’s aide, Bayo Onanuga, the members include Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard M. Doro; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Mohammed Mohammed; and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The statement further noted: “Ms Idayat Hassan of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Mr Paul Alabi of the Embassy of Nigeria in the US will serve as the secretariat.”
Tinubu urged the delegation to collaborate closely with their US counterparts to ensure the “effective implementation of all security agreements” reached during the Washington visit.
The Joint Working Group will steer bilateral cooperation on counter-terrorism, defence strategy, and regional stability initiatives.