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Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson, has reaffirmed the importance of deepening cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, insisting that such collaboration remains crucial to confronting insecurity and other national challenges.

Benson made this known while reflecting on his recent meetings with senior U.S. officials, engagements he described as further proof that both nations stand to gain significantly from sustained partnership.

According to the lawmaker, the series of interactions with American officials underscored a clear message: Nigeria and the U.S. are more effective when they work together. “The United States needs Nigeria as much as Nigeria needs the United States,” he said.

He recalled leading a delegation of committee chairmen to meet a U.S. team headed by Ms. Cassandra Carraway and Mr. Mark Handloff on 19 November 2025. The meeting, he noted, built on earlier talks held on 13 August 2025 with the U.S. Embassy’s military-political adviser, and a 15 December 2024 engagement with a U.S. congressional delegation led by Rep. John James, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

“Collectively, these discussions reaffirm the depth of our bilateral ties and our shared pursuit of peace, stability, and prosperity for Nigeria,” Benson said. He noted that Rep. James has repeatedly stressed Washington’s readiness to continue supporting Nigeria through both military and non-military strategies.

Benson disclosed that the latest round of talks ended with a renewed commitment from both sides to strengthen trust, scale up U.S. backing in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts, promote human-rights safeguards, and widen avenues for legislative diplomacy.

He added that the long-term vision for Nigeria–U.S. relations is one that highlights not only Nigeria’s challenges, but also the ingenuity and resilience of its young population, as well as ongoing reforms aimed at reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership on the African continent.

The Defence Committee chairman stressed that Nigeria, at this point in its democratic journey, requires partnership, not hostility.

“Our engagements with U.S. officials continue to show that cooperation and constructive dialogue are the most effective means of strengthening our democracy, improving our human-rights record, and addressing security threats,” he said.

He emphasized that Nigeria remains open to sincere exchanges and balanced assessments, as long as they are rooted in respect and shared strategic interests. According to him, such an approach offers the clearest path toward building a more secure and prosperous nation that advances the long-term interests of both countries.