By Obinna Uballa
The United States has approved $413.046 million (about N587 billion) for counter-insurgency and security operations in Nigeria and other African countries in 2026, amid worsening insecurity across West Africa.
The allocation is contained in the US National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, approved under Title XLIII covering operation and maintenance expenditure for the US Africa Command (AFRICOM).
The security funding comes against the backdrop of persistent insurgency and violent extremism across the region, as well as recent US-backed counter-terrorism operations, including Christmas Day strikes on terrorist hideouts in parts of Sokoto State.
On Tuesday, AFRICOM also delivered a consignment of military equipment to Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s security operations.
The NDAA 2026, signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 18, 2025, authorises a total of $901 billion in US defence spending and includes a four per cent pay rise for American troops. It marked the 65th consecutive annual defence authorisation.
Although AFRICOM requested $413.046 million and received the full amount, the Act did not provide a detailed breakdown of how the funds would be deployed.
The allocation comes as Nigeria continues to battle insurgency in the North-East and banditry in the North-West, while piracy and other maritime crimes persist in the Gulf of Guinea. Elsewhere in the region, Mali remains under sustained attacks by jihadist groups, while northern Benin has experienced spillover violence from the Sahel.
Other regional commands funded under the operation and maintenance category include the US European Command with $385.744 million, US Southern Command with $224.971 million, US Forces Korea with $77.049 million, Cyberspace Operations with $331.467 million, and Cybersecurity with $550.089 million. The total allocation for operating forces under this category stands at $39.999 billion.
Beyond military spending, the Act also provides for the establishment of an Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the US Department of State. The new office will oversee matters relating to sub-Saharan Africa and coordinate the implementation of US foreign policy across the region.
The legislation further establishes a Bureau of African Affairs, to be headed by the Assistant Secretary, with responsibility for managing US foreign policy implementation and assistance to sub-Saharan Africa.
In addition, the NDAA mandates a comprehensive assessment of Russia’s military strategy, objectives and force posture affecting African countries.
This includes a review of Moscow’s overseas military bases, logistics capabilities and power-projection infrastructure on the continent, as well as their implications for US contingency planning under AFRICOM, US Central Command and US European Command.
Nigeria, US cooperation
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has called for deeper strategic engagement between the Nigerian Army and the United States Army to effectively address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Shaibu made the call on Wednesday while receiving the US Defense Attaché to Nigeria, Lt. Col. Semira Moore, on a courtesy visit at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
He commended the US Government for its enduring partnership and sustained support, noting that the Nigerian Army has benefitted significantly from American military professionalism and institutional expertise.
The army chief said the Nigerian Army was keen to leverage the extensive experience of the US Army in both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, advocating expanded cooperation in areas such as operational effectiveness, institutional capacity building, doctrine development and strategic capability.
According to him, international military partnerships remain critical to complementing Nigeria’s internal security architecture and promoting sustainable peace and stability.
In her response, Moore reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to strengthening existing ties while exploring new areas of collaboration, particularly in capacity building, intelligence sharing and joint operational planning.
She also disclosed that the United States would continue to support the Nigerian Army in key non-kinetic areas, including humanitarian assistance and troop welfare initiatives, which she described as essential to sustaining morale and operational effectiveness.
