Trump praises Tinubu's strong leadership against terrorism

US President Donald Trump has praised President Bola Tinubu for his strong leadership "on behalf of the Nigerian people."

In a letter to President Tinubu, Trump recognized Tinubu's commitment "to tackle the issues plaguing Nigeria, especially the violence affecting Christian communities."

Trump said, "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."

The relationship between the US and Nigeria has grown recently. Both countries are working closely to address security challenges in different parts of Nigeria.

In November last year, Trump and Tinubu agreed to set up a Joint Working Group. This group is co-led by the National Security Advisers of Nigeria and the United States. They agreed on several steps, including training, sharing intelligence, and conducting joint operations to fight terrorism.

A key moment in this partnership was the 16 May attack on ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad area. This operation resulted in the death of the group's leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, and many of his top aides.

Last week, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja. He met with senior government officials and promised to strengthen cooperation between Abuja and Washington, DC, in security and other areas.

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 strong 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