‎Tinubu hosts U.S. military delegation at Aso Rock

ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday, February 8, 2026, received a high-level military delegation from the United States at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, underscoring deepening security cooperation between the two countries.
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‎The delegation was led by General Dagvin R. Anderson, Commander of the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM), and included Keith Heffern, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria. They were welcomed by President Tinubu alongside Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the country’s top military service chiefs.
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‎According to a statement from the Presidency, the meeting was held at the State House, Abuja, and brought together senior defence and security officials from both nations. Details of the closed-door discussions have not been disclosed.
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‎The visit comes amid growing collaboration on security matters, particularly as Nigeria continues to grapple with terrorism, insurgency and other regional threats. It also follows reports that the United States deployed a small team of military personnel to Nigeria in early February — the first officially acknowledged U.S. military presence on Nigerian soil since American airstrikes targeted terrorist positions in December 2025.
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‎Observers suggest the engagement could signal an expansion of intelligence sharing and joint efforts to enhance counter-terrorism capabilities, although officials have not publicly outlined specific areas of cooperation.
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‎The meeting underscores Washington’s continued interest in regional stability and highlights Abuja’s role in security strategy across West Africa.