The United States government has announced plans to spend about ₦587 billion on counter-insurgency and security operations in Nigeria and other African countries in 2026, as insecurity continues to worsen across West Africa.
The funding is captured in the United States National Defence Authorisation Act for the 2026 fiscal year, with the allocation approved under operations and maintenance for the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). AFRICOM requested a total of $413.046 million for its activities and received full approval under the Act.
Although the legislation does not provide a country-by-country breakdown, Nigeria is expected to be a major beneficiary due to its ongoing battles with insurgency, banditry and violent extremism. The allocation comes amid increased US-backed security interventions in the region, including recent air operations targeting terrorist enclaves in northern Nigeria.
The move also aligns with ongoing military cooperation between the US and Nigeria. Earlier this week, AFRICOM delivered a shipment of military equipment to Nigerian security agencies as part of efforts to strengthen counter-insurgency capacity and improve operational effectiveness on the ground.
The development highlights growing American involvement in regional security, as African countries struggle with escalating threats from armed groups and cross-border terrorism. West Africa in particular has remained a hotspot for violent extremism, prompting renewed international attention and support.
Beyond AFRICOM, the defence authorisation also covers funding for other US military commands and activities, bringing the total allocation for operating forces under operations and maintenance to nearly $40 billion. The wider defence package authorises $901 billion in total military spending and includes provisions for troop welfare and strategic security priorities.
The Act further provides for the creation of an Assistant Secretary for African Affairs within the US Department of State, a move aimed at strengthening policy coordination and diplomatic engagement across sub-Saharan Africa.
The increased funding signals a deeper US commitment to security efforts on the continent, as Nigeria and its neighbours seek stronger partnerships to address persistent and evolving security challenges.
