The Honourable Minister of State for Defence (HMOSD) Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle during a working visit to the USA, had a meeting at the United States Capitol on 13 December 2023 with some members of the US Congress; prominent amongst them was Congresswoman Betty McCollum.
Betty McCollum is currently heading the United States House Commitee on Appropriations for Defence. Highlights of the meeting was in line with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s agenda in seeking ways of enhancing the already existing cordial-diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and the USA.
During the meeting, areas of supporting the ongoing security sector reforms being carried out by the Nigerian Government were discussed.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum expressed the United States will and commitment to support Nigeria in tackling various security challenges confronting Nigeria as nation. Some of the assistance support expected in the nearest future highlighted include funding, training, military hardware and intelligence sharing amongst others.
The HMOSD reiterated that these will go a long way in building Nigeria’s capacity in its fight against terrorism and other security challenges across the country. At the end of the meeting, the HMOSD on behalf of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu thanked members of the Congress for their willingness and commitment to support Nigeria and promised to follow-up on the support and cooperation issues discussed in the meeting.
