In a move aimed at addressing rising insecurity nationwide, President Bola Tinubu has approved the formation of the Nigerian contingent of the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, appointing National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu as head of the delegation.
Tinubu also named Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Bernard M. Doro; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Mohammed Mohammed; and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as members of the team.
In addition, he appointed Ms. Idayat Hassan from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Mr. Paul Alabi from the Nigerian Embassy in the United States to serve as the secretariat.
According to the presidency, the decision is part of broader efforts to strengthen cooperation with the United States in confronting the nation’s security challenges.
The development comes just hours after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on security, directing both the police and the military to commence large-scale recruitment immediately.
A statement issued by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, noted that the establishment of the Joint Working Group stemmed from agreements reached during a recent visit to Washington, DC, by a high-level Nigerian delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Ribadu had led the mission to engage US officials following concerns raised over Nigeria’s designation relating to security issues.
The president called on members of the Joint Working Group to collaborate closely with their American counterparts to ensure the effective implementation of all agreements across relevant sectors.
