United States President Donald Trump has commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as decisive leadership in tackling insecurity, while confirming that the US has expanded military support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.
The disclosure was made by the Presidency on Wednesday through a statement issued by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, Trump conveyed his message in a letter dated July 6, 2026, in which he praised Tinubu’s commitment to addressing security challenges and strengthening Nigeria.
The US President also confirmed that Washington deployed members of its Special Operations Forces, including Navy SEAL Team 6, to train and support the Nigerian Armed Forces as part of ongoing counterterrorism cooperation.
In the letter, Trump described the security partnership between both countries as historic, noting that the two governments share a common objective of combating terrorism and improving regional security.
He stated that the US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has created a framework for deeper collaboration through military training, intelligence sharing and operational support.
Trump also said the deployment was aimed at equipping Nigerian security personnel with the skills, intelligence and resources required to confront terrorist groups and improve the safety of citizens.
The development comes amid growing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States following the establishment of a Joint Working Group by both countries in November 2025.
DailyInsightNG reports that the initiative paved the way for expanded military collaboration, including joint training programmes and intelligence-sharing arrangements.
The Presidency also referenced a joint military operation carried out in May 2026 in the Lake Chad Basin, during which Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), was reportedly killed alongside dozens of other militants.
Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters later announced that approximately 175 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters had been neutralised during the series of coordinated operations.
The statement further revealed that US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, recently visited Abuja, where he met with senior Nigerian officials and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to strengthening cooperation in security and other strategic areas.
Nigeria has battled insurgency for more than a decade, with attacks linked to Boko Haram, ISWAP and armed bandit groups resulting in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions of people, particularly across the North-East.
Although the United States previously expressed concern over attacks on Christian communities, the Nigerian government has consistently maintained that victims of terrorism include both Christians and Muslims.
The latest communication signals continued security collaboration between Abuja and Washington as both countries seek to curb extremist violence across Nigeria and the wider West African region.