United States President Donald Trump has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as his decisive leadership in confronting terrorism and strengthening Nigeria’s security, reaffirming America’s commitment to deepening security cooperation with Africa’s most populous nation.
The commendation was contained in a letter dated July 6, 2026, released by the Presidency on Wednesday in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, Trump applauded Tinubu’s determination to address Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly the violence affecting Christian communities, while pledging continued US support in the fight against terrorism.
In the letter, Trump wrote: “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.”
He continued: “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.”
The US President described relations between Washington and Abuja as increasingly strategic, noting that the partnership has become even more critical amid rising security threats across West Africa and other parts of the world.
“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,” Trump stated.
Highlighting ongoing military cooperation, Trump said the United States had deployed its elite Special Operations Forces to support the Nigerian Armed Forces through specialised training, intelligence sharing and operational assistance.
“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 added.
The Presidency noted that security collaboration between both countries has gained momentum in recent months.
It recalled that President Tinubu and President Trump agreed in November last year to establish a Joint Working Group, co-chaired by the National Security Advisers of both countries, to coordinate efforts on counter-terrorism through intelligence sharing, military training and joint operations.
According to the statement, one of the major outcomes of the partnership was the May 16 coordinated operation against ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad region, which reportedly resulted in the elimination of the terrorist group’s top commander, Abubakar Al-Minoki, alongside several of his lieutenants.
The Presidency also disclosed that the US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja last week, where he met with senior Nigerian government officials and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in security and other strategic sectors.
Onanuga said President Trump’s letter underscores the growing strategic alliance between Nigeria and the United States as both countries intensify efforts to combat terrorism and enhance regional stability.
