US Approves $413 Million for Counter-Insurgency Efforts in Nigeria and West Africa

Significant Funding Approved for Regional Security

The United States has approved $413 million in funding for counter-insurgency and security operations across Nigeria and other West African countries for the 2026 fiscal year. This allocation, a component of the broader National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), was signed into law by President Donald Trump in December 2025. The funding is intended to bolster efforts against a backdrop of escalating insecurity driven by various extremist and criminal groups in the region.

The sum represents the full amount requested by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) for its operations and maintenance budget in Africa, reflecting Washington's growing strategic focus on the continent.

Addressing Worsening Insecurity

The approval comes amidst a worsening security landscape across West Africa. Nigeria, a key recipient, continues to grapple with a prolonged insurgency in its North-East, rising banditry in the North-West, and persistent piracy threats in the Gulf of Guinea. Beyond Nigeria, countries like Mali face renewed militant pressure, while northern Benin has experienced spillover violence from the Sahel region.

The primary threats include:

• Jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which have intensified operations and demonstrated tactical evolution.
• Armed bandits operating across various regions.
• Maritime criminals contributing to insecurity in coastal areas.

Enhanced US Engagement and Policy Shifts

In recent weeks, the United States has intensified its security cooperation with Nigeria. This includes the delivery of military equipment to Nigerian security agencies and coordinated actions such as US air strikes on suspected terrorist hideouts in Sokoto State on Christmas Day 2025, carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

Beyond financial aid, the NDAA introduces significant policy changes aimed at strengthening US engagement in Africa. These include the establishment of a new Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the US State Department and the creation of a Bureau of African Affairs. This new bureau will be responsible for coordinating US foreign policy and assistance across sub-Saharan Africa, signaling a deeper and more structured approach to regional stability.