The team’s composition follows agreements reached during a recent high-level visit to Washington, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the Nigerian delegation for the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, a strategic platform designed to strengthen security cooperation between both countries.
The approval follows commitments made during a recent high-level meeting in Washington, D.C., led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, Ribadu will head the Nigerian side of the Joint Working Group and will be supported by senior officials drawn from key security and government institutions.
Members of the team include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard Doro; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed; and Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The statement also noted that Ms. Idayat Hassan (Office of the NSA) and Paul Alabi (Embassy of Nigeria, U.S.) will jointly serve as the secretariat for the group.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said President Tinubu has tasked the team to work closely with their U.S. counterparts to ensure effective implementation of all security-related agreements.
Nigeria’s security situation has attracted increasing global attention, prompting reviews such as the U.S. House Subcommittee on Africa’s recent session on Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
While opinions differed during the hearing, the Nigerian government maintains that it is strengthening its response to insecurity and remains committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of religious or ethnic background.