United States President Donald Trump has reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, praising President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and expressing readiness to deepen bilateral security cooperation.
Trump made the pledge in a letter dated July 6, 2026, addressed to President Tinubu in response to an earlier correspondence from the Nigerian leader. The letter was made public on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In the letter, the American president commended Tinubu’s efforts to address Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly the persistent attacks affecting Christian communities in parts of the country.
“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 that it was “a true honour” to stand with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and pledged continued American support to strengthen the country’s security and prosperity.
Trump noted that the United States and Nigeria share a common objective of confronting terrorism in all its forms, describing the US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap as a solid framework for achieving that goal.
According to him, the United States has deployed Special Operations Forces to train and equip personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces with advanced skills, intelligence and operational capabilities needed to combat terrorist groups and protect vulnerable communities.
“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,” Trump stated.
Although the Presidency did not release President Tinubu’s original letter, Onanuga said the exchange reflects the growing strategic partnership between Abuja and Washington, particularly in the area of counterterrorism.
According to the Presidency, both leaders had previously agreed to establish a Joint Working Group, jointly headed by the National Security Advisers of Nigeria and the United States, to coordinate intelligence sharing, military training and joint operations against terrorist organisations operating within the region.
The Presidency also highlighted one of the outcomes of the collaboration—a coordinated military operation carried out on May 16 against ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad region, which reportedly led to the elimination of the group’s leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, alongside several of his lieutenants.
The renewed commitment also follows the recent visit of the United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, to Abuja, where he held talks with senior Nigerian officials and reaffirmed Washington’s intention to expand cooperation with Nigeria in security and other strategic sectors.
Trump concluded his letter by expressing optimism about continued engagement with President Tinubu throughout his administration, signalling that security cooperation between both countries is expected to remain a major pillar of the Nigeria–United States relationship.