The United States has approved a $413 million allocation for counter-insurgency and security operations in Nigeria and other West African countries for the 2026 fiscal year, reinforcing Washington’s growing security engagement in a region grappling with persistent violence and transnational crime.
The funding followed the signing of the National Defence Authorisation Act in December 2025 and forms part of the operational and maintenance budget of the United States Africa Command. It is embedded in a wider defence spending package of $901 billion, which also provides a four percent pay rise for US military personnel, marking the 65th consecutive year the defence budget has been authorised.
Although the Act does not detail how the $413 million will be shared among beneficiary countries, the figure represents the full amount requested by AFRICOM for its Africa-focused security operations. The approval comes against the backdrop of worsening security challenges across West Africa, including insurgency, banditry, piracy, and the expansion of jihadist networks.
Nigeria continues to battle a prolonged Boko Haram and Islamic State insurgency in the North-East, alongside escalating bandit attacks and mass kidnappings in the North-West. Maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea remains a concern, while neighbouring countries such as Mali face renewed militant offensives. Northern Benin has also recorded cross-border attacks linked to instability in the wider Sahel region.
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In recent weeks, the United States has intensified its security cooperation with Nigeria. AFRICOM confirmed the delivery of military equipment to Nigerian security agencies in Abuja, describing the move as part of ongoing joint efforts to counter violent extremism and organised crime.
“This delivery supports Nigeria’s ongoing operations and underscores our shared security partnership,” the command said.
The deeper engagement follows US airstrikes carried out on suspected terrorist targets in Sokoto State on Christmas Day 2025, in coordination with Nigerian authorities. Security analysts view the strikes as a signal of expanded US involvement, particularly in intelligence sharing and operational support against extremist groups operating in Nigeria and the wider West African corridor.
Beyond funding, the defence legislation introduces structural changes to US engagement with Africa. It creates the position of Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the US State Department and establishes a Bureau of African Affairs to oversee policy direction, diplomatic engagement, and security assistance across sub-Saharan Africa.
