The United States Congress has voted to allocate $413.046 million (about ₦587bn) for security and counter‑insurgency operations in Nigeria and other African countries in 2026, reflecting growing concern over violent extremism, banditry and instability across West Africa and the Sahel.
The funding, contained in the 2026 National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA), was authorised under Operation and Maintenance for the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Context and Background
The NDAA is the annual defence policy and appropriations bill that defines the Pentagon’s budget and strategic priorities. For fiscal year 2026, the Act authorises a total US defence budget of $901 billion, including the $413.046 million sought by AFRICOM, which focuses on security cooperation and stability operations across the African continent.
The allocation comes against a backdrop of persistent insecurity in Nigeria, where insurgency in the North‑East, banditry in the North‑West and maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea continue to pose serious threats to civilian safety and economic stability.
Terrorist groups such as Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and others persist despite ongoing Nigerian military efforts, creating a need for enhanced regional cooperation.
The NDAA 2026, signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 18, 2025, approved AFRICOM’s full request of $413.046 million, although it did not specify how the funds will be apportioned across programmes and countries.
The budget line falls under Title XLIII – Operation and Maintenance, which covers funding for logistics, training, operational support and allied activities that enhance regional security capabilities.
Alongside the funding, the Act establishes a new Assistant Secretary for African Affairs within the US Department of State and a dedicated Bureau of African Affairs to coordinate US foreign policy and assistance across sub‑Saharan Africa.
This organisational expansion underscores a strategic shift toward deeper engagement in the region.
Security analysts say the funding and policy changes reflect intensified geopolitical competition in Africa, particularly between the United States and rival powers such as Russia and China, which have both expanded military and economic influence on the continent.
AFRICOM’s role in delivering equipment and bolstering partnerships is seen as part of the broader US effort to secure interests and address transnational threats.
For Nigeria, the authorisation signals reinforced bilateral cooperation in tackling shared security challenges. In recent weeks, AFRICOM delivered military supplies to Nigerian security forces in Abuja to support ongoing counterterrorism operations.
This cooperation includes training, logistics and intelligence sharing aimed at degrading extremist groups and strengthening Nigeria’s internal security capacity.
However, the expanded engagement raises calls for transparency and clarity on the terms of cooperation, particularly given sensitivities around sovereignty and external military involvement.
Domestic debate has also emerged around how foreign assistance aligns with Nigeria’s own strategic priorities in its ongoing battles against armed groups operating in multiple regions.
The US Congress’s approval of $413.046 million in support for security operations in Nigeria and other African nations is a significant development in international counter‑insurgency cooperation.
As AFRICOM and partner governments adapt to evolving threats, the partnership highlights the complex intersection of foreign policy, defence cooperation and regional stability.
For Nigeria, continued engagement with the United States offers opportunities to strengthen its security architecture, though the terms and transparency of such cooperation will remain important topics for policymakers and the public alike.
