By Our Correspondent Abuja
Nigeria’s deepening security partnership with the United States has received a major boost as Washington approved massive counter-insurgency funding, a move hailed as a global vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s security strategy.
The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) on Wednesday welcomed the development, describing it as a watershed moment in Nigeria–U.S. relations and a clear endorsement of the Tinubu administration’s approach to tackling terrorism, banditry and transnational crime.
At the centre of the breakthrough is the United States’ approval of over $413 million (about ₦587 billion) for counter-terrorism and security operations across Africa, including Nigeria, under the U.S. National Defence Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2026, to be executed through the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Ahmad Sajoh, and Secretary, Danjuma Sada, the TSF said the scale of the funding signals a strategic shift by the United States from distant concern to active collaboration with Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
“This allocation reflects a growing acknowledgment that insecurity in West Africa is no longer a localised problem but a shared global threat requiring coordinated international responses,” the Forum said.
According to TSF, while the funding advances U.S. national security interests, it equally validates Nigeria’s insistence that the fight against terrorism and violent extremism must be anchored on partnership, not pressure.
The Forum credited the breakthrough to what it described as deliberate, sustained and focused diplomatic engagement by the Tinubu administration, which ensured that Nigeria’s security challenges were properly contextualised within global concerns over terrorism, transnational criminal networks and regional instability.
TSF singled out the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for what it called a pivotal role in resetting Nigeria–U.S. security relations.
“The NSA’s disciplined engagement with key American institutions helped recalibrate bilateral discussions from punitive posturing to constructive partnership,” the statement noted.
“His articulation of Nigeria’s security realities, defence of national sovereignty and preference for cooperation over coercion have now yielded measurable outcomes.”
Beyond policy commitments, TSF said the partnership is already translating into action on the ground.
It cited coordinated counter-terrorism operations with AFRICOM, alongside the recent delivery of military equipment to Nigerian security agencies, as tangible proof of renewed trust between both countries.
“These developments directly strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to confront insurgency, banditry and other violent threats undermining national stability,” the Forum stated.
It added that the relationship now goes beyond hardware, pointing to enhanced intelligence sharing, surveillance support and joint threat assessment under a newly energised Joint Working Group framework.
According to TSF, the improved intelligence cooperation has boosted Nigeria’s ability to anticipate attacks, disrupt terror networks and protect civilian populations, particularly in vulnerable communities.
The Forum described the unfolding partnership as a validation of Nigeria’s shuttle diplomacy, anchored on mutual respect, shared responsibility and partnership-based engagement, rather than dependency.
“It also underscores the urgent need to fully integrate African countries into the global architecture for countering terrorism and violent extremism,” TSF said.
However, the Forum urged Nigerian authorities to ensure that the expanding cooperation is sustained within a transparent, coordinated and mutually beneficial framework, warning that long-term success would depend on accountability, national ownership and strategic consistency.
As insecurity continues to challenge the region, TSF said the renewed U.S.–Nigeria alliance sends a clear message: Nigeria is no longer fighting alone and global powers are beginning to align with Abuja’s terms.
