By Emmanuel Onyedika
US President Donald Trump has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decisive leadership “on behalf of the Nigerian people.”
In a letter dated July 6, 2026, Trump applauded Tinubu’s resolve “to tackle the issues plaguing Nigeria, especially the violence affecting Christian communities.” He added: “It is a true honour to stand with you in the fight against these terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous.”
The US-Nigeria relationship has flourished in recent times, with both countries working closely to address security challenges. In November 2025, Tinubu and Trump agreed to establish a Joint Working Group co-headed by the National Security Advisers of both nations. The group has since advanced cooperation in training, intelligence sharing, and joint operations against terrorist networks.
A highlight of the collaboration was the May 16 coordinated attack on ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad area, which resulted in the killing of the group’s top leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, and several of his lieutenants.
Last week, US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja and met with senior government officials, pledging to deepen cooperation in security and other areas.
In his letter, Trump reaffirmed the importance of the partnership: “The United States-Nigeria relationship is crucial at a time where conflict has spread across West Africa and around the world. We both share a mutual goal of confronting terrorism in all its forms, and our historic US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has established a robust framework to accomplish this feat.”
He further noted: “I am proud to have deployed the United States Special Operations Forces—among the most elite military units anywhere in the world—to equip the brave men and women in the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the skills, tools and intelligence they need to protect your homeland and ensure the safety and security of citizens, particularly those of faith who have been under attack. I look forward to our continued discussions over the course of my Presidency.”
The letter was released in a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.