U.S. approves $413m security funding for Nigeria, West Africa under 2026 Defence Law

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

While the NDAA does not provide a detailed breakdown of allocations by country, the figure represents the full operations and maintenance budget requested by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) for its activities across the African continent.

The funding forms part of a broader $901 billion U.S. defence spending package, which includes a four per cent pay rise for American service members and marks the 65th consecutive annual defence authorisation by the U.S. Congress.

U.S. officials say the allocation reflects deepening concern over deteriorating security conditions in West Africa, where militant violence, organised crime and political instability have intensified in recent years.

Nigeria remains a focal point of the U.S. security strategy in the region as it continues to confront a prolonged Islamist insurgency in the North-East, escalating banditry and mass kidnappings in the North-West, and persistent maritime insecurity and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

Elsewhere in the region, Mali is grappling with renewed militant offensives, while northern Benin has increasingly suffered spillover attacks from armed groups operating across the Sahel.

In recent weeks, Washington has stepped up security engagement with Abuja. AFRICOM confirmed the delivery of military equipment to Nigerian security agencies in the capital, describing the move as part of an ongoing shared security partnership.

The renewed cooperation follows U.S. air strikes on suspected terrorist hideouts in Sokoto State on Christmas Day 2025, operations which U.S. officials said were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

The strikes marked a rare direct kinetic action by U.S. forces on Nigerian soil and signaled a more assertive American posture in the region.

Beyond funding, the 2026 NDAA introduces significant policy and structural changes affecting U.S. engagement with Africa.

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The law establishes a new Assistant Secretary for African Affairs and creates a Bureau of African Affairs within the U.S. State Department to improve coordination of policy across sub-Saharan Africa.

The legislation also mandates a comprehensive review of Russia’s military activities in Africa, a provision widely seen as a response to Moscow’s expanding footprint through security partnerships and private military contractors in several African states.

Analysts say the review could shape future U.S. security, diplomatic and economic strategy on the continent, particularly as Washington seeks to counter Russian and other external influences while addressing worsening insecurity.

The approval of the $413 million allocation underscores Washington’s view of West Africa as a growing security priority, with Nigeria remaining central to regional stability.

As militant threats evolve and geopolitical competition intensifies, U.S. officials say sustained engagement — combining military support, diplomacy and institutional reform — will be critical to preventing further destabilisation across the region.