In a significant step towards fortifying national security through international cooperation, President Bola Tinubu has approved the constitution of the Nigerian delegation for the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group.
The establishment of this group serves as the operational fulfillment of agreements reached during a recent high-level diplomatic mission to Washington, DC, led by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Nigerian side of the Working Group will be spearheaded by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
He will be supported by a robust, multi-stakeholder team designed to cover the diplomatic, defense, internal security, and humanitarian aspects of the bilateral partnership.
The delegation comprises top-ranking government officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; and the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. Also included to address social impact and relief strategies is the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Bernard M. Doro.
To ensure the seamless integration of intelligence and enforcement, the President has also appointed the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Mohammed Mohammed; and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, as key members of the group. The secretariat for the body will be managed by Ms. Idayat Hassan of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Mr. Paul Alabi of the Nigerian Embassy in the United States.
President Tinubu has charged the newly constituted team to work assiduously with their American counterparts to ensure the swift and smooth operationalisation of all security and sectoral agreements reached between the two nations.
