US congressional delegation meets Ribadu in Abuja for fresh security consultations

National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Sunday received a delegation of United States lawmakers in Abuja, as both countries continue high-level conversations on shared security interests.

Ribadu, who announced the meeting in a post on X, said the lawmakers’ visit was a follow-up to earlier engagements he held in Washington, D.C. focused on expanding cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.

“This morning, I received a US Congressional delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, following our earlier engagements in Washington, DC, on shared security priorities,” he said.

“The delegation included Rep. @MarioDB Mario Díaz-Balart, Rep. @NormaJTorres Norma Torres, Rep. @RepFranklin Scott Franklin, Rep. @RepCiscomani Juan Ciscomani, and Rep. @RepRileyMoore Riley M. Moore.”

According to Ribadu, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, was also present, a development he said underscored “the significance both countries place on this partnership.”

He explained that discussions with the American delegation covered counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability, and additional avenues for enhancing the strategic security relationship between both nations.

“I’m optimistic this engagement will deepen trust, collaboration, and shared commitment to peace and security,” he said.

The meeting comes as diplomatic tensions simmer following US President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged violations of religious freedom—an action accompanied by warnings of possible US military involvement.

Nigeria’s government has repeatedly rejected claims of widespread persecution of Christians, insisting that insecurity affects citizens of all religious backgrounds.

Despite the tensions, Abuja has continued efforts to secure international support. On November 20, Ribadu held talks at the Pentagon with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, focusing on coordinated approaches to Nigeria’s security challenges.

A week later, on November 27, President Bola Tinubu approved the Nigerian members of the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, part of commitments reached during the recent high-level trip to Washington led by Ribadu.