United States President Donald Trump has commended President Bola Tinubu for his “decisive leadership” in tackling terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria.
Trump’s commendation came days after a lobbyist linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar reportedly petitioned the White House, urging the US administration to take a tougher position against the Tinubu administration over alleged governance and human rights concerns.
In a letter dated July 6, 2026, and released by the Presidency on Wednesday, the US president reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.
Trump, while responding to an earlier letter from Tinubu, praised the Nigerian leader’s efforts to address the country’s security challenges, particularly attacks on Christian communities.
“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.
“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 the relationship between Washington and Abuja as critical amid the spread of conflicts across West Africa and other parts of the world.
According to him, both countries share a common goal of confronting terrorism in all its forms.
“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 said.
He further disclosed that the United States had deployed Special Operations Forces to train and support the Nigerian Armed Forces with intelligence, equipment and operational skills to combat insurgency 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, particularly those of faith who have been under attack,” Trump wrote.
He expressed optimism that security cooperation between both countries would continue to deepen during his administration.
“I look forward to our continued discussions over the course of my Presidency,” he added.
The Presidency said the letter underscored the growing security partnership between Nigeria and the United States, particularly under the US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said both countries had agreed in November last year to establish a Joint Working Group co-chaired by the National Security Advisers of Nigeria and the United States.
The group, it said, had since coordinated intelligence sharing, specialised military training and joint operations aimed at degrading terrorist networks operating in Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.
The Presidency listed the coordinated military operation carried out on May 16 against Islamic State hideouts in the Lake Chad area as one of the major outcomes of the collaboration.
It said the operation led to the reported killing of the group’s top commander, Abubakar Al-Minoki, and several of his lieutenants.
The statement also recalled that the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja last week, where he met senior Nigerian government officials and pledged stronger bilateral cooperation on security and other strategic areas.
Trump’s commendation of Tinubu came amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general election and following recent lobbying efforts in Washington by an associate of Atiku Abubakar.
The lobbyist reportedly sought to draw international attention to concerns about the Tinubu administration.
The Presidency, however, has continued to highlight its expanding security cooperation with the United States as evidence of growing international confidence in the administration’s counterterrorism strategy.
