The United States has earmarked $413 million for counter-insurgency and security initiatives in Nigeria and other West African nations under its 2026 fiscal year budget, following the enactment of the National Defence Authorisation Act in December 2025.
The funds, designated within the United States Africa Command budget, underscore Washington’s commitment to addressing the deteriorating security situation across the sub-region.
The allocation is embedded in a broader defence appropriation of $901 billion, which also includes a four per cent salary increment for American military personnel, the 65th consecutive annual defence authorisation.
While the legislation does not specify individual country allocations within the $413 million envelope, the figure matches AFRICOM’s complete request for its Africa operations and maintenance budget.
The approval followrd mounting security challenges posed by extremist fighters, armed criminal gangs, and maritime outlaws operating across Nigeria and surrounding territories.
Diaspora NG reports that Nigeria remains embattled by a protracted insurgency in its North-East, widening banditry in the North-West, and sea piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
Similarly, Mali confronted renewed militant offensives, whilst northern Benin experiences cross-border violence from the Sahel crisis.
It was learnt that Washington has recently bolstered security collaboration with Nigeria.
AFRICOM acknowledged delivering military hardware to Nigerian security forces in Abuja, characterizing the gesture as an expression of mutual security commitment.
“This delivery reinforces Nigeria’s current operations and underscores our joint security partnership,” the command stated.
The heightened cooperation followed American airstrikes on suspected terrorist locations in Sokoto State on Christmas Day 2025, executed in conjunction with Nigerian officials.
