Tinubu Meets New AFRICOM Chief to Cement U.S.-Nigeria Military Pact After Christmas Day Strikes

The military partnership between Nigeria and the United States has moved into a “new gear” following a high-stakes late-night meeting at the Aso Rock Villa on Sunday. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu played host to the new Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin Anderson, as the two nations move to solidify a controversial but growing defense alliance.

The visit, which included U.S. Charge d’Affaires Keith Heffern, comes at a pivotal moment. Just days ago, General Anderson shocked many by confirming that a “small team” of U.S. troops is now officially on Nigerian soil to assist in the fight against a new wave of border-crossing extremists.

“This is about more than just intelligence sharing; it’s about action,” a senior Villa source revealed. The discussions reportedly centered on the aftermath of the December 25th airstrikes in Sokoto and how to expand that “precision model” to the rest of the Northwest and the troubled Kaiama axis in Kwara State.

President Tinubu, flanked by his National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and newly appointed Service Chiefs, used the meeting to demand “streamlined access” to critical defense equipment. The Nigerian side is reportedly pushing for more hardware to back up the recently launched “Operation Savannah Shield.”

For the United States, the meeting serves as a “reset.” Despite recently labeling Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” Washington is clearly doubling down on President Tinubu as the key to regional stability. General Anderson praised the “strategic leadership” of the Nigerian Armed Forces, signaling that the U.S. is ready to look past diplomatic friction in exchange for a “State of Harmony” in West African security.

As Nigeria continues to battle the ISWAP and Lakurawa threats, this Villa meeting confirms one thing: the 2027 security roadmap will be heavily written in both English and American military code.