The Presidency has disclosed that United States President Donald Trump personally wrote to President Bola Tinubu, commending his decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people. According to a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the letter also confirmed that the US had deployed Special Operations Forces, including Navy SEAL Team 6, to train and support Nigeria’s military in its fight against terrorism.

Dated July 6, 2026, the letter described the growing security cooperation between both countries as a historic partnership. Trump praised Tinubu’s determination to address the country’s security challenges, particularly the violence affecting Christian communities, and reaffirmed America’s commitment to standing with Nigeria against terrorist groups.

The correspondence also publicly revealed, for the first time, Trump’s direct attribution of the expanded US military presence in Nigeria to the protection of communities of faith, especially Christian minorities, from jihadist violence. In the letter, Trump expressed appreciation for Tinubu’s leadership and pledged continued support to help make Nigeria stronger, safer and more prosperous.