Trump Praises Tinubu’s Leadership on Security, Pledges Stronger US-Nigeria Counterterrorism Partnership
United States President Donald Trump has commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as decisive leadership in confronting terrorism and addressing insecurity in Nigeria, particularly attacks targeting Christian communities.
The commendation was contained in a letter dated July 6, 2026, and made public on Wednesday through a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In the letter, titled “President Trump Lauds President Tinubu’s Decisive Leadership Against Terrorists,” Trump expressed appreciation for Tinubu’s commitment to improving security and protecting Nigerian citizens.
“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 added, “I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities. It is a true honour to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous.”
Trump described the relationship between the United States and Nigeria as increasingly important as security threats continue to spread across West Africa. He noted that both countries share a common objective of combating terrorism in all its forms.
According to him, the US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap provides a solid framework for strengthening bilateral efforts against extremist groups.
The US President also highlighted ongoing military collaboration, revealing that American Special Operations Forces have been deployed to train and support members of the Nigerian Armed Forces with advanced skills, intelligence and operational capabilities.
“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,” Trump stated.
He expressed optimism about continued engagement with Tinubu throughout his presidency.
The Presidency said Nigeria and the United States have expanded their security partnership in recent months through a Joint Working Group co-chaired by the National Security Advisers of both countries.
The collaboration has focused on intelligence sharing, military training and coordinated operations against terrorist organisations.
One of the reported successes of the partnership was the May 16 operation targeting ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad region, which the Presidency said led to the elimination of the group’s top leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, along with several of his key commanders.
The statement also disclosed that the US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja last week, where he met with senior Nigerian officials and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria on security and other strategic priorities.
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