LAGOS — U.S. President Donald Trump commended President Bola Tinubu’s “decisive leadership” against terrorism, praising his efforts to protect vulnerable religious communities in a letter released by Nigeria’s presidency on Wednesday.
“I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities,” Trump wrote to Tinubu. “It is a true honor to stand with you.”
Trump highlighted the historic U.S.–Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap, adding that Washington deployed U.S. Special Operations Forces to train and equip Nigerian armed forces with advanced tools and intelligence capabilities.
The commendation marks a diplomatic shift from late last year, when Washington threatened policy actions over perceived failures to curb religious violence and protect Christians across West Africa’s most populous nation.
Bilateral ties strengthened after a joint security working group co-chaired by both national security advisers was created, leading to a major joint May operation against ISIS hideouts in Lake Chad.
