President Bola Tinubu has approved the constitution of the Nigerian contingent of the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in addressing the country’s security challenges.

The formation of the group was one of the outcomes of the recent visit to Washington, D.C., by a high-level Nigerian delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu.

According to a statement issued on Thursday, the NSA will chair the Nigerian side of the Joint Working Group and will be supported by a multi-stakeholder team comprising senior officials from key government organisations.

Other members include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Defence, Mr. Mohammed Badaru; Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Bernard Doro; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mr. Mohammed Mohammed; and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun.

“Ms. Idayat Hassan of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Mr. Paul Alabi of the Embassy of Nigeria in the United States will serve as the secretariat.

“President Tinubu urged members of the Joint Working Group to work assiduously with their US counterparts to ensure the smooth operationalisation of all agreements across sectors,” the statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, added.

International attention had recently focused on Nigeria’s security situation after former US President Donald Trump alleged a “Christian genocide” in the country, threatening to deploy American troops “guns-a-blazing”. The Federal Government dismissed the claim, insisting it was taking concrete measures to address insecurity.

President Tinubu has repeatedly stated that the safety of Nigerians remains a top priority of his administration, reaffirming the government’s commitment to religious freedom and tolerance.

On 21 November, the US House Subcommittee on Africa reviewed Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). During the session, witnesses presented contrasting views on the killings occurring across the country.