Trump commends Tinubu days after Atiku lobbyist’s petition against him

United States President Donald Trump has commended President Bola Tinubu’s leadership in combating terrorism, days after a lobbyist linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar petitioned the White House against the Nigerian leader.

In a letter dated July 6, 2026, but released by the Presidency on Wednesday, Mr Trump praised Mr Tinubu’s “decisive leadership” and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

The commendation comes against the backdrop of recent lobbying efforts in the United States by an associate of Atiku, who reportedly urged the Trump administration to take a tougher stance against Tinubu over governance and human rights concerns.

In the letter, Trump thanked Tinubu for his earlier correspondence and applauded his efforts to address Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly attacks on Christian communities.

“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.”

The US president described relations between Washington and Abuja as critical at a time when insecurity has intensified across West Africa, stressing that both countries share a common commitment to defeating terrorism.

“The United States-Nigeria relationship is crucial at a time where 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,” the letter stated.

Trump also disclosed that the United States had deployed Special Operations Forces to train and support the Nigerian Armed Forces with intelligence, equipment and operational skills needed to combat insurgency and protect vulnerable communities.

“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,” he wrote.

He expressed optimism that both countries would continue to deepen security cooperation during his administration.

“I look forward to our continued discussions over the course of my Presidency,” Trump added.

The Presidency said the letter underscored the growing security partnership between Nigeria and the United States, particularly under the US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap.

According to the statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, both leaders had agreed in November last year to establish a Joint Working Group co-chaired by the National Security Advisers of Nigeria and the United States.

The working group has since coordinated intelligence sharing, specialised military training and joint operations aimed at degrading terrorist networks operating within Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.

One of the major outcomes of the collaboration, according to the Presidency, was the coordinated military operation carried out on May 16 against Islamic State hideouts in the Lake Chad area, during which the group’s top commander, Abubakar Al-Minoki, and several of his lieutenants were reportedly killed.

The statement also recalled that the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja last week, where he met senior Nigerian government officials and pledged stronger bilateral cooperation on security and other strategic areas.

Trump’s commendation of Tinubu comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general election and follows recent lobbying efforts in Washington by an ally of Atiku Abubakar seeking to draw international attention to concerns about the Tinubu administration.

The Presidency, however, has continued to project its growing security cooperation with the United States as evidence of international confidence in the administration’s counterterrorism strategy.