The United States has approved $413 million (about N587 billion) for counter-insurgency and security operations in Nigeria and other African countries in 2026, as violence from insurgency and banditry continues spreading across West Africa.
The funding is part of the US National Defence Authorisation Act for 2026, which President Donald Trump signed into law on December 18, 2025.
The money falls under Operation and Maintenance for the United States Africa Command, known as AFRICOM.
The command got the full amount it requested, though the Act doesn’t break down how much goes to each country or operation.
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The approval comes as the US steps up military involvement in Nigeria. On Tuesday, AFRICOM delivered military equipment to Nigerian security agencies, just weeks after US forces conducted air strikes on terrorist hideouts in Sokoto State on Christmas Day
The 2026 defence authorisation law approves $901 billion in total US defence spending and includes a four per cent pay raise for American troops.
It is the 65th year in a row the United States has passed an annual defence authorisation.
The AFRICOM budget is primarily because insecurity across West Africa keeps getting worse.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
