Washington and Abuja seek to balance counterterrorism cooperation, religious freedom concerns and the future of Africa’s largest economy
By Kemi Osukoya | WORLD BRIEFS
The Trump administration is defending its growing security partnership with Nigeria, emphasizing joint counterterrorism successes against ISIS, Boko Haram and other extremist groups as Congress debates whether to restrict U.S. assistance over violence targeting Christian communities.
Massad Boulos, President Donald Trump Senior Advisor on African affairs, said the United States and Nigeria have made significant progress through intelligence sharing, military cooperation and joint operations, while reaffirming the administration’s commitment to protecting religious freedom globally.
“I think President Trump has been really expressing his view on this, and we’ve done extremely well—meaning the cooperation between the United States and Nigeria,” Boulos said Tuesday when asked by Africa Bazaar during a press gaggle at the White House about the Administration’s response to a legislation recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that would require the administration to withhold funding from Nigeria unless the government takes stronger action to address violence against Christians.
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Boulos pointed to the cooperation between the U.S. and Nigerian security forces in fighting ISIS, Boko Haram and other terrorist organizations, describing the partnership as a model of effective coordination.
“We have had huge success, as you have seen recently, and our task force, joint task force, is working together very well. There’s ongoing coordination,” he said.
He also praised the role of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and said the administration would continue supporting Nigerian security forces in their efforts to combat terrorism.
“President Trump has been championing those religious freedom causes across the world, including in Nigeria and many other parts of the world,” Boulos said.
His comments come as Congress intensifies scrutiny of Nigeria’s security challenges, placing religious violence at the center of a broader debate over U.S. foreign assistance and accountability.
Congress Turns Aid Into Leverage
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation calling for the withholding of U.S. assistance to Nigeria unless the Nigerian government demonstrates effective action to prevent and respond to violence targeting Christian communities.
The measure, included in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act, would require the Secretary of State to certify that Nigeria is taking meaningful steps to protect Christians and hold perpetrators of religious violence accountable.
The proposed measure, sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore (R-W.Va.), still requires Senate approval and President Trump’s signature before becoming law. Supporters say the bill is designed to pressure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government to strengthen security operations in affected Christian communities.
The congressional action follows a series of hearings by the House Committee on Africa examining what lawmakers described as escalating persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
Chairman of the House Africa subcommittee Rep. Chris Smith characterized the violence as “systematic and accelerating,” calling Nigeria “ground zero” for some of the world’s most severe anti-Christian persecution.
Witnesses, including Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Makurdi Diocese, described attacks on Christian communities, mass killings, kidnappings and the displacement of civilians.
The debate in Washington highlights the competing priorities shaping U.S.-Nigeria relations: on one hand, congressional demands for accountability on human rights and on the other, the administration’s effort to deepen cooperation with a critical security partner in Africa.
Nigeria remains one of U.S. most strategically important relationships on the continent. With more than 220 million people, significant energy resources and one of Africa’s largest consumer markets, stability in Nigeria has implications well beyond its borders, especially as U.S. seeks stronger commercial ties. One of the major obstacles for businesses and investors has been the security conditionS in the country and the region, which influence investment decisions, supply chains, agriculture, infrastructure development and the ability of companies to operate across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
U.S.-Nigeria trade continued to strengthen, with total U.S. goods and services trade reaching an estimated $13.0 billion in 2024, up 16.5% from 2023, while goods trade totaled $11.8 billion in 2025 as exports surged 58.3% to $6.8 billion, imports fell 13.0% to $5.0 billion, and the U.S. goods trade balance shifted from a $1.5 billion deficit to a $1.8 billion surplus. At the same time, U.S. foreign assistance to Nigeria fell to approximately $616 million in 2025, a 34% decline from $929 million in 2024, according to U.S. foreign assistance data.
The Trump administration has underscored security cooperation as a foundation of the bilateral relationship.
In November, President Trump and President Tinubu agreed to establish a U.S.-Nigeria Joint Working Group, led by the national security advisers of both countries, to strengthen intelligence sharing, training and coordinated operations.
The cooperation produced a major milestone in May when U.S. and Nigerian forces conducted a coordinated operation targeting ISIS-linked militants in the Lake Chad region. The operation resulted in the killing of senior extremist figures, including Abubakar Al-Minoki, along with several associates.
Last week, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia visited Abuja, meeting with Nigerian officials—including the National Security Advisor, Defense Minister, and Foreign Minister and pledging to strengthen both diplomatic and commercial relations between the U.S. and Abuja on security and other areas.
For Nigeria, the security challenge is also an economic challenge.
Persistent insecurity has affected agricultural production, disrupted local economies and increased operating risks for businesses. Investors evaluating Nigeria’s long-term potential increasingly consider security alongside economic reforms, currency stability and regulatory conditions.
The country remains one of Africa’s most promising markets, with a growing technology sector, expanding consumer base and strategic importance in global energy markets.
As the debate over aid, human rights and religious freedom continues in Congress, the challenge for Washington and Abuja will be balancing accountability with partnership—addressing security threats, protecting vulnerable communities and ensuring that cooperation delivers measurable results.
The Trump administration has made clear that its approach toward Nigeria is centered not on disengagement, but on deeper collaboration aimed at strengthening security institutions, combating terrorism and preserving a strategic relationship with one of Africa’s most important economies.
