United States President Donald Trump has praised Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his “decisive leadership” in tackling terrorism, while confirming the deployment of elite US Special Operations Forces to train and support Nigeria’s military under an expanded bilateral security partnership.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Trump conveyed the commendation in a personal letter dated July 6, 2026. The letter also disclosed that the United States had deployed Special Operations Forces, including members of the US Navy SEAL Team 6, to strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism capabilities.
The correspondence marks the first public confirmation by the US President linking the expanded American military presence in Nigeria to Washington’s support for the country’s efforts to combat extremist violence.
In the letter, Trump thanked Tinubu for his earlier correspondence and praised 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 that he admired Tinubu’s determination to confront terrorism and violence affecting communities across Nigeria.
“I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation… 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.”
US-Nigeria Defence Cooperation Deepens
Trump described the US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap as a key framework guiding the two countries’ expanding security collaboration.
The roadmap, formalised in 2026, builds on a Joint Working Group established in November 2025 and jointly led by the National Security Advisers of both countries. It focuses on intelligence sharing, military training, operational coordination and counterterrorism cooperation.
According to Trump, the deployment of elite US Special Operations Forces is intended to provide Nigerian security personnel with advanced operational skills, intelligence support and specialised training to combat terrorist organisations.
“I am proud to have deployed the United States Special Operations Forces… 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,” the letter stated.
Joint Military Operations
The announcement follows reports of increased operational cooperation between Nigerian and US forces.
On May 16, 2026, a joint operation in the Lake Chad Basin reportedly eliminated Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), along with approximately 40 senior militants during an assault in Metele, Borno State.
According to a military source cited by The New York Times, the operation involved Nigerian Army commandos supported by members of the US Navy SEAL Team 6.
Three days later, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters announced that approximately 175 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters had been killed since the commencement of the joint operations.
Expanding Bilateral Security Ties
The Presidency also noted that US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja last week, where he held discussions with senior Nigerian officials and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria on security and other strategic issues.
The latest developments reflect a significant shift in US involvement in Nigeria’s security efforts. Previous American assistance had largely centred on intelligence sharing, sanctions against terrorist networks and military capacity-building programmes.
The United States also carried out airstrikes against Lakurawa militant camps in Sokoto State during the 2025 Christmas period, signalling broader operational engagement.
Background to Nigeria’s Security Crisis
Nigeria has battled a violent insurgency for more than a decade. Boko Haram declared a self-styled caliphate in 2014, while the emergence of ISWAP in 2016 further intensified insecurity across the country’s northeast.
The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions of people, particularly in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
President Tinubu declared a national security emergency in November 2025 following escalating attacks in several parts of the country.
That declaration came shortly after President Trump designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over allegations of violence against Christian communities.
The Nigerian government has consistently rejected claims that the conflict specifically targets Christians, maintaining that victims of attacks by Boko Haram, ISWAP and armed bandit groups include both Christians and Muslims.
The latest exchange between the two leaders underscores the growing strategic importance of US-Nigeria security relations as both countries seek to contain extremist threats across Nigeria and the wider West African region.
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