The United States has approved $413.046 million (about ₦587 billion) for counter-insurgency and security operations in Nigeria and other African countries in 2026, as insecurity continues to worsen across West Africa.
The allocation is contained in the US National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, obtained on Thursday. The funds were approved under Title XLIII, covering Operation and Maintenance for the US Africa Command (AFRICOM).
The security funding comes amid persistent insurgency, banditry and violent extremism across the region. In Nigeria, insurgency in the North-East and banditry in the North-West remain major challenges, while piracy continues to threaten the Gulf of Guinea. Other West African countries, including Mali and Benin, are also facing escalating jihadist violence.
The NDAA 2026 authorises a total of $901 billion in annual US defence spending and includes a four per cent pay rise for American troops. Although AFRICOM requested $413.046 million and received full approval, the Act did not specify how the funds would be spent.
The legislation was signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 18, 2025, marking the 65th consecutive annual defence authorisation.
Other allocations under the operation and maintenance category include $385.744 million for the US European Command, $224.971 million for the US Southern Command, $77.049 million for US Forces Korea, $331.467 million for cyberspace operations and $550.089 million for cybersecurity activities. The total allocation for operating forces under this category stands at $39.999 billion.
The Act also provides for the establishment of an Assistant Secretary for African Affairs within the US Department of State and the creation of a Bureau of African Affairs to oversee and coordinate US foreign policy and assistance to sub-Saharan Africa.
In addition, the NDAA mandates an assessment of Russia’s military strategy and force posture in Africa, including overseas military bases and logistics infrastructure, and their implications for US operations under AFRICOM and other commands.
Commenting on the development, security analyst and Beacon Consulting CEO, Kabir Adamu, said the funding reflects growing geopolitical rivalry in Africa, driven largely by economic interests rather than military considerations. He noted that Russia and China have expanded their influence across the continent through security cooperation and economic engagement, prompting the US to reassess its strategy.
According to Adamu, West Africa and the Sahel have become strategic theatres due to weak state control, insecurity and the presence of critical resources such as rare earth minerals. He added that Nigeria could become a focal point of renewed US engagement because of its strategic location and regional influence.
Another security analyst, Chidi Omeje, described the evolving Nigeria–US relationship as a partnership based on collaboration and mutual respect. He said Nigeria’s security challenges are linked to global terrorist networks, making international cooperation necessary.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has called for deeper strategic cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the United States Army to address Nigeria’s complex security threats.
Shaibu made the call during a courtesy visit by the US Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Lt. Col. Semira Moore, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja. He praised the US for its sustained support and stressed the need to expand cooperation in areas such as capacity building, intelligence sharing, doctrine development and joint operational planning.
Moore reaffirmed the US commitment to strengthening military ties with Nigeria, including support in non-kinetic areas such as humanitarian assistance and troop welfare, which she described as critical to sustaining operational effectiveness.
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