President Bola Tinubu has approved the formation of the Nigerian delegation to the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, a bilateral initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation on security matters.

The decision follows a recent visit to Washington DC by a high-level Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Ribadu will head the multi-agency team, which includes senior officials from key security and foreign policy institutions.

According to a statement signed by the President’s aide, Bayo Onanuga, members of the working group include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard M. Doro; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Mohammed Mohammed; and Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.

“Ms Idayat Hassan of the Office of the National Security Adviser and Mr Paul Alabi of the Embassy of Nigeria in the US will serve as the secretariat,” the statement added.

READ ALSO:Tinubu Appoints Non-Career Ambassadors For US, UK, France

Tinubu urged the team to engage closely with their American counterparts to ensure the implementation of security agreements reached during the visit. The working group is tasked with coordinating bilateral efforts on counter-terrorism, defence cooperation, and regional stability.

The initiative has gained prominence following recent remarks by US leadership. US President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious-freedom violations and warned of possible military intervention should attacks on Christians persist, increasing pressure on the Nigerian government to strengthen its security response.

Bilateral cooperation
Recall that last week, a high-level Nigerian delegation led by Ribadu concluded a series of engagements with United States officials aimed at reinforcing bilateral security cooperation.

The discussions, held in Washington DC, involved senior representatives from the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of War.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: Tinubu Declares Nationwide Security Emergency, Orders Armed Forces To Recruit More Personnel

During the meetings, the Nigerian delegation rejected allegations of genocide in the country, emphasising that violent attacks affect communities across religious and ethnic lines.

“Wrongful framing of the situation would only divide Nigerians and distort the realities on the ground,” the delegation stated.

The United States expressed readiness to deepen security support, including enhanced intelligence sharing, expedited processing of defence equipment requests, and the potential provision of excess defence articles, subject to availability, to bolster ongoing counter-terrorism operations. Additional support in the form of humanitarian assistance and technical aid to strengthen early-warning mechanisms was also discussed.

Both nations agreed to implement a non-binding cooperation framework immediately and to establish a Joint Working Group to coordinate efforts across the agreed areas. The Nigerian delegation reaffirmed the government’s commitment to civilian protection measures and the safeguarding of vulnerable communities, particularly in the Middle Belt region.

READ ALSO:N6trn: Court Orders Tinubu To Publish NDDC Audit Report, Name Indicted Officials

The Nigerian delegation included Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, Attorney General of the Federation; General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff; Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence; Mr Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police; Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of Foreign Relations at the Office of the National Security Adviser; and Ms Idayat Hassan, Special Adviser to the NSA.

The Federal Government highlighted that the engagements provided an opportunity to correct misconceptions about Nigeria, build trust, and advance a coordinated approach to protecting citizens.

It urged the public to remain assured that coordinated measures are being taken to enhance security nationwide.

The controversy surrounding the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and Radisson Hotel, remains unabated as Edo State House of Assembly Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the matter has invited a former governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki for questioning.

A statement by Secretary of the Ad-hoc Committee, Bekisu Oshone, on Thursday, stated that the former governor and others are expected to appear on December 4, 2025.

Other persons invited by the committee are a former Edo Finance Commissioner, Joseph Eboigbe, former Attorney General of Edo State, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, MOWAA’s Director, Philip Iheanacho and Managing Director, Tilbury House Nigeria Limited.

READ ALSO:MOWAA Authorities Shun Edo Assembly Committee, Give Reason

According to her, others invited are Project Manager of Hospitality Investment and Management Company, Pramod Thorat, Managing Director, Afrinvest Capital Limited, Ugochukwu Anigbogu, Managing Director, Meristem Trustees Limited and
Managing Director, Emerging Africa Trustees Limited.

The statement reads: “The Edo State House of Assembly Ad hoc Committee constituted to investigate the Museum of West African Arts and Radisson Hotel invites former Governor Godwin Obaseki and 10 others/organization (listed above) to appear before the committee for public hearing on December 4.”

She said attendance by Obaseki and others was required as part of the committee’s investigation.

The former governor and other invitees are expected to give insights into funding of the Radisson Hotel.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Revokes MOWAA Land Title

The MOWAA and Radisson Hotel were both conceptualized by Obaseki.

While first phase of the MOWAA has been completed, Radisson Hotel is near completion.

Recall that an exhibition at the museum turned chaotic on November 9 after angry protesters stormed the venue, forcing a high-profile event to shut down abruptly.

The preview opening, described as a private exhibition for investors, artists, and foreign envoys, quickly descended into panic when a mob claiming the museum belonged to the Oba of Benin breached parts of the premises.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have set up a high-powered joint Ad-hoc Committee to drive the immediate commencement of the recruitment of 30,000 new officers.

The PSC disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, following the inauguration of the Ad-hoc Committee on Wednesday, 26th November, 2025 by the Chairman, Police Service Commission DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (rtd) at the Police Service Commission Corporate Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.

The establishment of the committee followed the presidential directive to bolster the numerical strength of the NPF and enhance national security.

According to the statement, the primary mandate of the Joint Ad-hoc Committee is to collaborate and brainstorm on creating a seamless, transparent, and efficient recruitment process.

READ ALSO:PSC Reviews Disciplinary Cases, Reinstates Dismissed Police Officers

It added that the committee will work to ensure the exercise is conducted with the highest standards of integrity and merit.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, who was represented by DIG (Bar) Taiwo Lakanu (rtd), said that “the collaboration is crucial for a successful exercise”.

Lakanu, who is also the Chairman, Nigeria Police Force Matters Committee, PSC reiterated the commission’s commitment to ensuring that the recruitment is fair and based on established guidelines.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, was represented at the event by CP Edwin Eloho of the Department of Training and Development, Force Headquarters.

READ ALSO:Four Suspected Robbers Killed In Gunfight With Police In Delta

Egbetokun emphasised the importance of the recruitment in strengthening the police force’s capacity to serve and protect the citizens of Nigeria.

The IGP affirmed the NPF’s full cooperation with the PSC to ensure the timely and successful achievement of this national objective.

“The inauguration of this committee marks a critical step forward in the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing security challenges and improving the police-to-citizen ratio across the country,” he said.

The PSC is the Federal Executive Body empowered to appoint, promote, dismiss, and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding offices in the Nigeria Police Force, except the IGP.

READ ALSO:Police Rescue Stolen Boy, Arrest Six Over Child Trafficking In Anambra

The NPF is the principal law enforcement agency in Nigeria. It is designated to, amongst others, prevent and detect crime, protect lives and property, and maintain public order and safety.

President Bola Tinubu on Monday presided over a high-level security meeting with Nigeria’s top military and intelligence chiefs at the State House, Abuja, as the administration intensified efforts to confront emerging and persistent security threats across the country.

The closed-door session was confirmed by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, who shared updates via his X handle, @DOlusegun.

READ ALSO:FCT Police Reacts To Alleged Assassination Attempt On Naval Officer Yerima

The Service Chiefs in attendance included the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal Kennedy Aneke, as well as IGP Egbetokun, and the Director-General of the Department of State Service.

The appointments of the new Service Chiefs, announced by President Tinubu in October 2025, form part of a broader effort to reinforce Nigeria’s security architecture.

Also present was Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, who continues to serve as Chief of Defence Intelligence, alongside other senior security advisers and heads of relevant agencies.