United States President Donald Trump has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts to tackle terrorism and improve security in Nigeria, particularly in communities affected by attacks on Christians.
The commendation was contained in a letter dated July 6, 2026 addressed to President Tinubu. Details of the letter were made public on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In the letter titled _“President Trump lauds President Tinubu’s decisive leadership against terrorists,”_ the US leader praised Tinubu’s commitment to protecting Nigerians and addressing the country’s security challenges. He also reaffirmed Washington’s support for Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
“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.
“I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities, and 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.”
Trump said the partnership between both countries remains vital as security threats spread across West Africa and beyond.
“The United States-Nigeria relationship is crucial at a time when conflict has spread across West Africa and around the world. We both share a mutual goal of confronting terrorism in all its forms, and our historic US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has established a robust framework to accomplish this feat,” he stated.
The US President further disclosed that Washington had deployed *Special Operations Forces* to support the Nigerian Armed Forces through training, intelligence and operational assistance.
“I am proud to have deployed the United States Special Operations Forces—among the most elite military units anywhere in the world—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 and ensure the safety and security of citizens, particularly those of faith who have been under attack,” Trump said.
“I look forward to our continued discussions over the course of my Presidency,” he added.
The Presidency said security collaboration between Nigeria and the US has deepened in recent months following the creation of a Joint Working Group co-led by the National Security Advisers of both countries.
The group, it said, has focused on intelligence sharing, military training and coordinated operations against terrorist groups.
One major outcome, according to the statement, was the May 16 operation against ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad region, where security forces reportedly killed the group’s top leader, *Abubakar Al-Minoki*, and several of his associates.
The Presidency also noted that US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia recently visited Abuja for meetings with senior Nigerian officials. During the visit, Garcia pledged stronger cooperation between both nations on security and other areas of mutual interest.
