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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, amid worsening insecurity across West Africa.
The allocation is contained in the US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, obtained by The PUNCH on Thursday. The funds were approved under Title XLIII – Operation and Maintenance, covering activities of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Rising Insecurity Drives Funding
The security allocation comes against the backdrop of escalating insurgency, banditry, and violent extremism across the region. In Nigeria, insurgency persists in the North-East, while banditry continues in the North-West. Maritime crimes, including piracy, remain a concern in the Gulf of Guinea.
Elsewhere, Mali continues to face sustained jihadist attacks, while northern Benin has witnessed a spillover of violence from the Sahel.
The funding approval follows recent US-backed security actions, including Christmas Day strikes on terrorist hideouts in Sokoto State and the delivery of military equipment to Nigerian security agencies by AFRICOM earlier this week.
No Spending Breakdown Provided
The NDAA 2026 authorises $901 billion in total US defence spending, including a 4 per cent pay raise for American troops. While AFRICOM requested $413.046m—and received the full amount—the Act did not provide a detailed breakdown of how the funds will be spent.
President Donald Trump signed the Act into law on December 18, 2025, marking the 65th consecutive annual defence authorisation by the United States.
Other Commands’ Allocations
Under the operation and maintenance category, the Act also approved funding for other US military commands and activities:
- US European Command: $385.744m
- US Southern Command: $224.971m
- US Forces Korea: $77.049m
- Cyberspace Operations: $331.467m
- Cybersecurity Activities: $550.089m
The subtotal for operating forces under this category stands at $39.999 billion.
US to Establish Bureau of African Affairs
Beyond military spending, the NDAA 2026 provides for the creation of an Assistant Secretary for African Affairs within the US Department of State.
The new office will oversee US foreign policy relating to sub-Saharan Africa and coordinate diplomatic and assistance efforts across the region.
The Act also establishes a Bureau of African Affairs, to be headed by the Assistant Secretary. According to the law, the bureau will manage US foreign policy implementation and assistance programmes in sub-Saharan Africa, under the supervision of the Under Secretary for Political Affairs.
Focus on Russia’s Military Footprint in Africa
The Act further mandates comprehensive assessments of Russia’s military strategy, objectives, and force posture in Africa.
This includes reviews of:
- Russia’s overseas military bases
- Logistics capabilities and power-projection infrastructure
- The implications for US contingency plans under AFRICOM, US Central Command, and US European Command
The assessments are intended to guide US strategic planning and reduce risks to American defence operations on the continent.
Analysts: Africa Now a Theatre of Geopolitical Rivalry
Commenting on the development, Kabir Adamu, security analyst and CEO of Beacon Consulting, said the funding and policy moves reflect intensifying geopolitical rivalry in Africa, driven primarily by economic interests.
According to Adamu, insecurity, weak state control, and the presence of critical minerals have turned Africa—particularly West Africa and the Sahel—into a strategic arena for global powers.
He noted that Russia and China have expanded their influence through military cooperation and economic engagement, forcing the United States to reassess its posture.
“In almost all locations where the US has economic interests, Russia and China are already ahead of it. What the US is trying to do now is to catch up,” Adamu said.
He predicted an intense period of rivalry among the three powers, adding that Nigeria could emerge as a strategic hub due to its resources and geographic position near the Sahel.
Adamu dismissed claims that US engagement is aimed at stopping a so-called “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, describing the narrative as flawed and unsupported by facts.
“The primary interest is economic, not military. Access to rare earth minerals such as lithium is the real driver,” he said, urging transparency on any agreements between Nigeria and the US.
US–Nigeria Engagement Is a Partnership — Omeje
Another security analyst, Chidi Omeje, said Nigeria’s evolving relationship with the US should be viewed through the lens of partnership and collaboration, not dominance.
He stressed that many of Nigeria’s security threats are linked to global terrorist networks, making international cooperation essential.
“This is about partnership, respect and dignity—not invasion or repression. Global terrorism requires global collaboration,” Omeje said.
He also expressed doubts about Russia’s capacity to effectively support African security efforts, given its ongoing war in Ukraine.
Nigerian Army Seeks Deeper Cooperation with US
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 address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Shaibu made the call on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the US Defense Attaché to Nigeria, Lt. Col. Semira Moore, at Army Headquarters in Abuja.
He praised the US government for its sustained support, noting that the Nigerian Army has benefitted from American military professionalism and institutional expertise.
The COAS advocated expanded cooperation in operational effectiveness, doctrine development, institutional capacity, and strategic capability.
Moore reaffirmed the US commitment to strengthening ties with Nigeria, highlighting collaboration in capacity building, intelligence sharing, joint planning, and non-kinetic support, including humanitarian assistance and troop welfare.
