WASHINGTON D.C. / ABUJA- The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Rtd, OFR, has concluded high-level bilateral talks with United States authorities in Washington D.C. The meetings were aimed at deepening military-to-military relations and strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation between both countries.

The Defence Minister led a high-powered Nigerian delegation to the Pentagon. Members of the delegation included the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. General Parker Udiandeye, alongside other senior officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

At the Pentagon, the Nigerian team held strategic discussions with senior officials of the U.S. Department of War. The U.S. side was led by Julia Sokol, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for International Security Affairs. The talks focused on shared security architecture, intelligence collaboration, and operational support.

‎The engagements are a direct continuation of the United States–Nigeria Joint Working Group Defence Bilateral Talks. The forum is designed to align both countries on security priorities and strengthen joint responses to terrorism and other regional threats.

‎The Nigerian delegation is in the U.S. for the second meeting of the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, holding from August 12th to 13th, 2026. The mission is being led by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

The Joint Working Group meeting was co-chaired by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Allison Hooker, the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. Both sides reviewed progress and strategic frameworks following Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern, CPC.

At the end of the meeting, both Nigeria and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to sustained dialogue, mutual respect, and a strategic alliance. They agreed to continue working together to combat global and regional security threats.