United States President Donald Trump has applauded President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s efforts to combat terrorism and improve security across Nigeria, with particular reference to attacks targeting Christian communities.
The commendation was conveyed in a letter dated July 6, 2026, addressed to President Tinubu and later made public by the Presidency through a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In the correspondence, titled “President Trump Lauds President Tinubu’s Decisive Leadership Against Terrorists,” the American leader expressed appreciation for Tinubu’s commitment to confronting security threats while reaffirming Washington’s support for Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations.
“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.
“I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities, and 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 wrote.
The US president also described relations between Nigeria and the United States as increasingly important amid growing security concerns across West Africa, stressing that both nations remain united in confronting extremist threats.
“The United States-Nigeria relationship is crucial at a time when 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 said.
Trump further highlighted ongoing military cooperation between the two countries, revealing that the United States had deployed elite Special Operations Forces to assist Nigeria’s Armed Forces with specialised training, intelligence and operational support.
“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,” he stated.
According to the Presidency, security collaboration between Abuja and Washington has deepened significantly in recent months following the inauguration of a Joint Working Group jointly led by the National Security Advisers of both countries.
The partnership, the statement said, has centred on intelligence sharing, military training and coordinated operations aimed at degrading terrorist organisations operating within Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad Basin.
One of the major outcomes of the enhanced cooperation, according to the Presidency, was the joint operation carried out on May 16 against Islamic State (ISIS) strongholds in the Lake Chad region. The operation reportedly led to the elimination of the group’s alleged leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, along with several senior commanders.
The Presidency also disclosed that the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja last week for high-level meetings with Nigerian officials, during which both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation on security, defence and other areas of mutual interest.
(Ripples)