Nigeria and the United States have inaugurated Defence Institutional Technical Working Groups (DITWGs) in Abuja under the 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap, deepening bilateral efforts to combat terrorism, insecurity and regional instability.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, improving military coordination and denying terrorists safe havens across the region.
Leading the U.S. delegation, Mr. Cate Dave said the partnership would enhance strategic planning and reinforce Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations through stronger defence institutions.
Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, said both countries stressed practical results, accountability and sustained collaboration in tackling emerging security threats.
Head of the Nigerian delegation, Air Vice Marshal Francis Edosa, said the cooperation would help sharpen the warfighting capabilities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and improve rapid response to security challenges nationwide.
He added that the partnership was designed to restore enduring peace and stability across affected communities.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy has described international cooperation, especially with the U.S., as critical to tackling maritime threats in the Gulf of Guinea.
Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, said the Regional Maritime Awareness Capacity (RMAC) initiative played a major role in ending piracy in Nigerian waters in 2022, leading to Nigeria’s removal from the International Maritime Bureau piracy list.
During a visit to the Western Naval Command Headquarters in Lagos, the U.S. Congressional Delegation led by Adam Barker commended the Nigerian Navy’s proactive maritime security operations and pledged continued support in intelligence sharing, maritime awareness and collective regional security efforts.
The delegation also toured the RMAC Complex and received operational briefings on its contributions to safer maritime trade routes.