United States President Donald Trump has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his “decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people,” particularly in tackling terrorism and violence affecting Christian communities across the country.
In a letter to President Tinubu, Trump said it was “a true honour to stand with you in the fight against these terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous.” He applauded the Nigerian leader’s resolve to address the security challenges plaguing parts of Nigeria.
The US-Nigeria security partnership has deepened in recent months. In November last year, both Presidents agreed to establish a Joint Working Group co-headed by the National Security Advisers of both countries. The group has coordinated several initiatives including training, intelligence sharing, and joint operations aimed at rolling back terrorist activities.
A major highlight of the collaboration was the May 16 coordinated attack on ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad area. The operation led to the killing of the group’s top leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, and many of his lieutenants. The success was attributed to the enhanced intelligence and operational cooperation between both nations.
Last week, US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja for meetings with senior government officials. He pledged to further strengthen cooperation between Abuja and Washington DC in security and other areas of mutual interest, signaling continued support for Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Full text of the letter dated July 6, 2026:
Dear Mr President,
“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 honor to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous.
“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.
“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.”
Sincerely,
Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America
