US Commits $413m to Counter-Insurgency Operations in Nigeria and West Africa

The United States is set to commit about ₦587 billion (approximately $413.046 million) to counter-insurgency and security operations in Nigeria and other African countries in 2026, as insecurity continues to intensify across West Africa.

The funding provision is contained in the United States National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, where the allocation falls under Title XLIII covering Operation and Maintenance expenses. The funds were approved for the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), although specific spending details were not disclosed.

The allocation comes amid renewed security engagements in the region, including recent airstrikes on terrorist hideouts in Sokoto State during the Christmas period, as well as the delivery of military equipment to Nigerian security agencies earlier this week to bolster ongoing operations.

The NDAA 2026 is a wide-ranging legislation that sets out U.S. defense priorities and authorises a total annual military budget of $901 billion, including a four per cent pay rise for service members. AFRICOM requested $413.046 million for its operations, an amount fully approved by lawmakers. The Act was signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 18, 2025, marking the 65th consecutive annual defense authorization.

The funding is aimed at addressing persistent security threats in West Africa, where insurgency, banditry and violent extremism continue to destabilise several countries. In Nigeria, armed insurgency in the North-East and banditry in the North-West remain major concerns, while piracy and other maritime crimes continue to threaten the Gulf of Guinea. Elsewhere, Mali faces sustained jihadist attacks, and northern Benin has experienced spillover violence from the Sahel region.

Other U.S. military commands and activities funded under the Operation and Maintenance category of the NDAA include the United States European Command with $385.744 million, United States Southern Command with $224.971 million, US Forces Korea with $77.049 million, Cyberspace Operations with $331.467 million, and Cybersecurity activities with $550.089 million. Overall, the subtotal for operating forces under this category stands at nearly $40 billion.

Beyond security spending, the Act also mandates the establishment of an Assistant Secretary for African Affairs within the U.S. Department of State. The position will oversee sub-Saharan African affairs and coordinate the implementation of U.S. foreign policy across the region. In addition, a Bureau of African Affairs will be created under the Department of State, to be headed by the Assistant Secretary, with responsibility for managing diplomatic engagement and foreign assistance to sub-Saharan Africa.

The legislation further requires detailed assessments of Russia’s military posture and strategic objectives in Africa. This includes reviews of Russian overseas military bases, logistics networks and power-projection infrastructure on the continent, as well as their implications for U.S. contingency planning under AFRICOM, U.S. Central Command and U.S. European Command.

Reacting to the development, security analyst and Chief Executive Officer of Beacon Consulting, Kabir Adamu, said the increased funding and policy shifts highlight intensifying geopolitical competition in Africa, largely driven by economic interests.

According to Adamu, Africa—particularly West Africa and the Sahel—has become a strategic focal point due to persistent insecurity, weak state control and the presence of critical natural resources. He noted that Russia and China have expanded their influence across the continent through military cooperation and economic investments, compelling the United States to reassess its engagement strategy.

He predicted heightened geopolitical rivalry among the United States, China and Russia, adding that Nigeria could emerge as a strategic hub due to its resources, regional influence and proximity to the Sahel. Adamu stressed that the primary motivation behind global power engagement in Africa is economic rather than military, particularly access to critical minerals such as lithium.

He called for transparency regarding any agreements entered into between Nigeria and the United States, urging lawmakers and the media to scrutinise the nature of such engagements.

Another security analyst, Chidi Omeje, described the evolving Nigeria–U.S. relationship as one rooted in partnership and collaboration rather than dominance. He said current engagements through AFRICOM reflect mutual respect and align with Nigeria’s long-standing demand to be treated as an equal partner in addressing security challenges.

Omeje noted that many of Nigeria’s security threats are linked to global terrorist networks operating across the Sahel and Lake Chad regions, making international cooperation essential. He welcomed ongoing support from the United States, describing recent military assistance as evidence of a partnership-based approach.

In a related development, 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 effectively confront Nigeria’s complex and evolving security challenges.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the U.S. Defense Attaché to Nigeria, Lt. Col. Semira Moore, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, Shaibu praised the enduring partnership between both countries and acknowledged the benefits of U.S. military professionalism and institutional support.

He advocated expanded collaboration in areas such as capacity building, doctrine development, intelligence sharing and both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, noting that international military partnerships remain critical to strengthening Nigeria’s internal security framework.

Moore reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to sustaining and deepening military ties with Nigeria, while exploring new areas of cooperation, particularly in humanitarian assistance, troop welfare and joint operational planning, which she said are vital for maintaining morale and operational effectiveness.