Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has called for increased support from the United States to help combat the country’s evolving security challenges. The appeal was made during a meeting in Abuja with Major General Garrick Harmon, Director for Strategy, Engagement, and Programs of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
The request for increased US support was formally announced in a press release signed by Patience Ituke, for the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Defence. The statement said Minister Matawalle specifically requested enhanced intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism efforts, and assistance in bolstering Nigeria’s military capabilities. He underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral defence relations, urging the US to expand its support in areas such as technical training, logistics, and equipment.
“Nigeria is dedicated to promoting regional peace and security; however, we cannot achieve this alone,” Dr. Matawalle stated. “We require more robust support from the United States, particularly in intelligence sharing and capacity building, to effectively combat terrorism, insurgency, and transnational threats.”
Major General Garrick Harmon, on his first official visit to Nigeria in his current role, expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to enhance security and stability in West Africa. He described his engagements in Nigeria as highly productive, highlighting the strength of the existing partnership between the two countries.
Both Nigeria and the United States acknowledged their shared interests and agreed on the need for deeper collaboration in addressing the security challenges facing the region.
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