The federal government has firmly rejected claims of genocide in Nigeria during high-level security talks with United States officials in Washington, D.C., while both countries agreed to strengthen security cooperation through a new joint framework.
The Nigerian delegation, led by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, held a series of meetings with senior officials from the US Congress, the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighbourhood Partnerships, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of Defense.
According to a statement on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, spokesperson to President Bola Tinubu, the delegation refuted the genocide allegations, stressing that no genocide is occurring in the country. They emphasised that violent attacks affect families and communities across religious and ethnic lines, and warned that mislabelling the situation distorts realities and risks dividing Nigerians.
Following the discussions, US officials expressed readiness to strengthen security cooperation with Nigeria. Both sides agreed to expand collaboration through enhanced intelligence sharing, expedited defence equipment processing, and potential provision of excess defence articles to support operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups. The US also indicated willingness to provide humanitarian assistance and technical support for early-warning systems.
A key outcome of the engagements was the decision by both countries to immediately implement a non-binding cooperation framework and establish a Joint Working Group that will coordinate all agreed areas of partnership.
Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to improving civilian protection and welcomed the opportunity to clarify misconceptions about the country’s security challenges. The discussions, according to officials, strengthened mutual trust and advanced a more coordinated approach to protecting vulnerable communities, particularly in the middle belt.
The Nigerian delegation included the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt.-Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye; Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Ambassador Ibrahim Babani; and Special Adviser to the NSA, Idayat Hassan.
