President Bola Tinubu has approved the constitution of the Nigerian side of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group (JWG), part of ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
Gatekeepers News reports that the group’s formation follows agreements reached during a recent Washington, DC visit by a high-level Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu.
According to a statement on Thursday, Ribadu will lead the Nigerian side of the JWG, supported by a multi-stakeholder team of senior officials from relevant government agencies.
Other members include:
- Minister of Foreign Affairs: Yusuf Tuggar
- Minister of Defence: Mohammed Badaru
- Minister of Interior: Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
- Minister of Humanitarian Affairs: Bernard Doro
- Chief of Defence Staff: Gen. Olufemi Oluyede
- Director-General, National Intelligence Agency: Mohammed Mohammed
- Inspector-General of Police: Kayode Egbetokun
The secretariat will be headed by Ms. Idayat Hassan (Office of the NSA) and Paul Alabi (Embassy of Nigeria in the US).
In a statement, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said:
“President Tinubu urged members of the JWG to work assiduously with their US counterparts to ensure smooth operationalisation of all agreements across sectors.”
Nigeria’s security situation has recently attracted international attention. Former US President Donald Trump raised concerns over alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria, threatening US military intervention. The Federal Government, however, dismissed the claim, emphasising ongoing efforts to tackle security challenges.
President Tinubu reaffirmed that the safety of Nigerians is a top priority and reiterated the government’s commitment to religious freedom and tolerance.
On November 21, the US House Subcommittee on Africa reviewed Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), with testimonies reflecting divergent views on the nation’s security situation.
