Nigeria's Defence Minister Strengthens US Military Ties

On October 2, 2026, Gen. Christopher Musa, Nigeria's Minister of Defence, reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to strengthening military relations with the United States, particularly in counter-terrorism efforts. This commitment was expressed during a meeting in Abuja with Maj-Gen. Matthew Brown, commander of the US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), who was on a working visit to the Ministry of Defence.

The visit aimed to review ongoing joint security initiatives and develop a strategic framework for future defense collaboration. Musa, through his special assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, acknowledged the US government's sustained partnership, noting that collaborative operations in the North East, especially around the Lake Chad Basin, have significantly improved troop morale.

Key areas for enhanced cooperation include specialized joint training for special forces, intelligence sharing, capacity building, and counter-improvised explosive devices (C-IED) support. Maj-Gen. Brown emphasized the temporary nature of US military activities in Nigeria, focusing on institutional support and collaboration.