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United States President Donald Trump has praised President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s efforts to combat terrorism and improve security across Nigeria, particularly regarding attacks targeting the Christian community.
The praise was conveyed in a letter dated July 6, 2026 addressed to President Tinubu and later announced by the Presidency in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In the correspondence entitled “President Trump Praises President Tinubu’s Firm Leadership Against Terrorists,” the American leader expressed his appreciation for Tinubu’s commitment to confronting security threats while reaffirming Washington’s support for counter-terrorism operations in Nigeria.
“Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Your kind words mean a lot to me, and I appreciate your firm leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people.
“I applaud your determination to address the problems plaguing your country, especially the violence impacting the Christian community, and it has been an honor to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous,” Trump wrote.
The US President also described relations between Nigeria and the US as increasingly important amid growing security concerns across West Africa, and stressed that the two countries remained united in the face of extremist threats.
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“The United States-Nigeria relationship is critical at a time when conflict has spread across West Africa and around the world. We both share the same goals in confronting terrorism in all its forms, and the historic 2026 US-Nigeria Defense Cooperation Roadmap has established a strong framework for achieving this achievement,” he said.
Trump further highlighted the ongoing military cooperation between the two countries, revealing that the United States has deployed elite Special Operations Forces to assist the Nigerian Armed Forces with special training, intelligence and operational support.
“I am proud to have deployed the United States Special Operations Forces—one of the most elite military units in the world—to equip the brave men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces with the skills, equipment and intelligence they need to protect your homeland and ensure the safety and security of citizens, especially those of a faith under attack.
“I look forward to our continued discussions during my presidency,” he said.
According to the Presidency, security collaboration between Abuja and Washington has increased significantly in recent months following the inauguration of the Joint Working Group co-chaired by the National Security Advisors of both countries.
The partnership, the statement said, centers on intelligence sharing, military training and coordinated operations aimed at degrading terrorist organizations operating in Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad Basin region.
One of the main results of this increased cooperation, according to the Presidency, was the joint operation carried out on May 16 against ISIS bases in the Lake Chad region. The operation reportedly led to the removal of the group’s alleged leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, along with several senior commanders.
The Presidency also revealed that the United States Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja last week for a high-level meeting with Nigerian officials, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in the areas of security, defense and other areas of mutual interest.
