US approves $413m security funding for Nigeria, West Africa in 2026 Budget

The United States has approved $413 million for counter-insurgency and security operations in Nigeria and other West African countries for the 2026 fiscal year, following the signing of the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) into law in December 2025.

The funding, allocated under the budget of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), reflects Washington’s growing concern over escalating insecurity across the region. It forms part of a broader defence spending package authorising $901 billion in total military expenditure, alongside a four per cent pay rise for US service members, marking the 65th consecutive year of defence authorisation.

Although the NDAA does not provide a detailed country-by-country breakdown, the approved sum represents the full amount requested by AFRICOM for its Africa operations and maintenance activities in 2026.

The approval comes against the backdrop of worsening security challenges across West Africa. Nigeria continues to battle a protracted insurgency in the North-East, escalating banditry in the North-West, and persistent piracy threats in the Gulf of Guinea. Elsewhere in the region, Mali faces renewed militant offensives, while northern Benin has recorded spillover attacks linked to extremist groups operating in the Sahel.

Recent weeks have seen intensified security cooperation between the United States and Nigeria. AFRICOM confirmed the delivery of military equipment to Nigerian security agencies in Abuja, describing the move as part of a shared commitment to regional stability.

“This delivery supports Nigeria’s ongoing operations and emphasises our shared security partnership,” the command said.

The development follows US air strikes on suspected terrorist hideouts in Sokoto State on Christmas Day 2025, conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities. The operation underscored a shift toward deeper US involvement in regional counter-terrorism efforts, including intelligence sharing and operational support.

Beyond funding, the defence legislation introduces significant policy changes. It establishes a new Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the US State Department and creates a Bureau of African Affairs to oversee and coordinate American diplomatic and security engagement across sub-Saharan Africa.

The Act also mandates a comprehensive review of Russia’s military presence and activities in Africa, a move expected to influence future US strategic planning involving AFRICOM and other regional combatant commands.