United States President Donald Trump has commended President Bola Tinubu for his “decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people,” in a letter praising Nigeria’s efforts to confront terrorism, particularly violence affecting Christian community.
The letter dated July 6, 2026, and made public on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described US-Nigeria security cooperation as a shared fight against a common threat.
“It is a true honour to stand with you against these terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous,” Trump wrote.
He noted that the US-Nigeria relationship remains crucial amid spreading conflict across West Africa, pointing to the countries’ 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap as a framework for joint action.
Trump said he had deployed United States Special Operations Forces to help equip Nigeria’s Armed Forces with skills, tools and intelligence needed to protect citizens, particularly those targeted for their faith.
The exchange follows months of deepening security collaboration between Abuja and Washington. In November last year, Presidents Tinubu and Trump agreed to establish a Joint Working Group co-headed by the National Security Advisers of both countries, resulting in cooperation on training, intelligence sharing and joint operations against terrorist groups.
A major outcome of that partnership was the May 16 coordinated strike on ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad area, which led to the killing of the group’s top leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, and several of his lieutenants.
Last week, US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja for meetings with senior Nigerian officials, during which he pledged to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries on security and other areas.
