US President Donald Trump on Wednesday lauded President Bola Tinubu’s “decisive” approach to combating terrorism in a letter that praised the Nigerian leader’s efforts to protect communities and bolster stability.
“It is a true honour to stand with you in the fight against these terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous,” Trump wrote, singling out measures he said were aimed at the violence afflicting Christian communities.
The message underlines a period of deepening cooperation between Washington and Abuja on security matters.
Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President Bayo Onanuga in a statement said in November, Trump and Tinubu agreed to form a Joint Working Group co-chaired by the two countries’ national security advisers to coordinate training, intelligence sharing and joint operations aimed at rolling back militant activity.
He said those efforts culminated in a coordinated operation on May 16 targeting ISIS-affiliated positions in the Lake Chad region, which Nigerian and allied forces said resulted in the death of a senior militant leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, and several of his lieutenants.
US officials have since signalled a warm line of engagement.
Last week, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia visited Abuja, meeting senior government officials and pledging closer cooperation on security and other bilateral priorities.
The correspondence and recent diplomatic exchanges reflect a pragmatic alignment between the two countries as they confront overlapping security threats, even as both capitals manage broader strategic and political considerations at home.
Full text of the letter dated July 6, 2026:
Dear Mr President,
“Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Your kind words mean a great deal to me, and I appreciate your decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people. I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities and it is a true honor to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous.
“The United States-Nigeria relationship is crucial at a time where conflict has spread across West Africa and around the world. We both share a mutual goal of confronting terrorism in all its forms, and our historic US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has established a robust framework to accomplish this feat.
“I am proud to have deployed the United States Special Operations Forces—among the most elite military units anywhere in the world—to equip the brave men and women in the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the skills, tools and intelligence they need to protect your homeland and ensure the safety and security of citizens, particularly those of faith who have been under attack. I look forward to our continued discussions over the course of my Presidency.”
Sincerely,
Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America
