United States President Donald Trump has praised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as decisive leadership in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and efforts to protect Christian communities affected by violent attacks.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Presidency and reported by Punch, Trump conveyed the commendation in a letter dated July 6, 2026, addressed to Tinubu.
In the letter, titled ‘President Trump Lauds President Tinubu’s Decisive Leadership Against Terrorists’, Trump thanked Tinubu for his correspondence and applauded his commitment to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
“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,” Trump wrote.
He added: “I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities, and it is a true honour to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous.”
Trump described the relationship between the United States and Nigeria as increasingly important as security threats continue to spread across West Africa.
He said both countries share a common objective of combating terrorism, adding that the US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap provides a strong framework for deeper collaboration.
The US President also highlighted ongoing military cooperation, stating that the United States had deployed Special Operations Forces to support Nigeria’s Armed Forces through training, intelligence sharing and operational assistance.
“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,” Trump said.
According to the Presidency, Nigeria and the United States have strengthened security cooperation through a Joint Working Group co-chaired by the National Security Advisers of both countries.
The statement said the partnership has focused on training, intelligence sharing and joint operations against terrorist groups. It added that one outcome of the collaboration was the May 16 operation against ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad region, during which top commander Abubakar Al-Minoki and several of his lieutenants were reportedly killed.
The Presidency also noted that US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, recently visited Abuja, where he met senior Nigerian officials and pledged to deepen bilateral cooperation on security and other strategic areas.
