The Presidency has described the recent letter from United States President Donald Trump to President Bola Tinubu as further evidence that the Tinubu administration is making progress, particularly in the area of security and its relationship with the United States.
Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He was reacting to Trump’s letter praising Tinubu’s leadership and anti-terrorism efforts.
Bwala said the letter reflected the growing recognition of the administration’s achievements, insisting that the government’s engagement with the United States was already producing positive results.
“Fact speaks for itself. That’s what it is. The letter is further proof of the progress we are making,” he said.
He added that the government’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and improving security would continue regardless of whether such recognition was publicly expressed.
“Does it mean if there was no letter, we will stop? No. Because we are already engaging and communicating with them,” Bwala stated.
Drawing an analogy, he said, “If you are in a relationship with a lady, and then because of the relationship, you write a letter encouraging her, or she writes a letter encouraging you, then you feel further strengthened but it does not stop your commitment.”
POLITICS NIGERIA reported earlier that Trump, in a letter dated July 6, 2026, commended Tinubu for what he described as his decisive leadership in tackling terrorism and other security challenges in Nigeria. The letter was released on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In the letter, Trump thanked Tinubu for his earlier correspondence and praised his efforts to address insecurity, particularly attacks on Christian communities.
“Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Your kind words mean a great deal to me, and I appreciate your decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people. I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities and it is a true honor to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous,” Trump wrote.
The US president also described the relationship between Nigeria and the United States as crucial at a time when conflict had spread across West Africa and other parts of the world.
“The United States-Nigeria relationship is crucial at a time where conflict has spread across West Africa and around the world. We both share a mutual goal of confronting terrorism in all its forms, and our historic US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has established a robust framework to accomplish this feat,” he said.
Trump further disclosed that the United States had deployed its elite Special Operations Forces to train members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and strengthen their operational capabilities.
“I am proud to have deployed the United States Special Operations Forces—among the most elite military units anywhere in the world—to equip the brave men and women in the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the skills, tools and intelligence they need to protect your homeland and ensure the safety and security of citizens, particularly those of faith who have been under attack. I look forward to our continued discussions over the course of my Presidency,” he added.
The letter comes amid expanding security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States. Last November, both countries agreed to establish a Joint Working Group co-headed by their National Security Advisers to coordinate intelligence sharing, training and joint operations against terrorist groups.
The growing partnership has coincided with recent security gains by Nigerian authorities, including the rescue of 44 pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity. President Tinubu had praised the operation, stressing that no ransom was paid.
