Ribadu was in the US from May 4 to May 6, where he engaged top American officials in a series of high-level meetings focused on strengthening Nigeria-US relations.

According to a statement by President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Ribadu met with US Vice President J.D. Vance, Acting National Security Adviser and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Undersecretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerim.

The discussions centered on expanding security, defence, and diplomatic cooperation between both countries, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deeper bilateral ties through sustained dialogue and collaboration.

The Presidency said the meetings provided an opportunity to assess the current state of Nigeria-US relations while advancing cooperation in key areas such as counterterrorism, defence partnerships, intelligence sharing, regional security, economic resilience, and democratic governance.

Ribadu reportedly stressed the importance of continued international collaboration in addressing growing security threats across West Africa and the Sahel, including terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, and cybercrime.

He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to working closely with global partners to promote peace, democratic stability, and economic growth across Africa, while also emphasizing Nigeria’s strategic leadership role in counterterrorism efforts in the Lake Chad Basin and the wider West African region.

Talks also focused heavily on the worsening security landscape in the Sahel, the need for stronger regional cooperation, and boosting institutional capacity to effectively tackle evolving asymmetric threats.

During his meeting with Allison Hooker at the US Department of State, Ribadu expressed appreciation for continued American support in critical areas including intelligence cooperation, security assistance, defence training, humanitarian aid, and counterterrorism operations.

He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to implementing the strategic roadmap under the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group (JWG), a framework designed to deepen structured bilateral cooperation on security and strategic issues.

Both nations reviewed progress under the JWG and discussed practical steps to strengthen implementation of existing agreements, including enhanced intelligence exchange, military collaboration, border security, strategic communications, and institutional capacity building for Nigerian security agencies.

The Presidency added that both sides emphasized the need for consistent communication and stronger institutional coordination to tackle shared security challenges more effectively.

Ribadu also briefed US officials on ongoing reforms by the Nigerian government aimed at improving national security, stabilising troubled communities, and addressing the root causes of insecurity through a comprehensive strategy that combines military operations with non-military solutions such as community engagement, economic interventions, deradicalisation, and regional alliances.

US officials reportedly praised Nigeria’s leadership in regional peace and security efforts and acknowledged the country’s importance as a strategic American partner in Africa.

Both Nigeria and the United States ultimately reaffirmed their shared commitment to democratic principles, regional stability, economic cooperation, and lasting peace across West Africa and the Sahel, while expressing optimism about the future of their strategic partnership.