The United States has approved $413 million to support counter-insurgency efforts and wider security operations in Nigeria and other West African nations for the 2026 fiscal year.

The approval followed the signing of the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) into law in December 2025. The allocation falls under the budget of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).

The funding forms part of the overall $901 billion U.S. defence budget for the year, which also provides for a four per cent salary increase for American military personnel.

While the NDAA does not specify how the $413 million will be distributed among individual African countries, the figure represents the entire amount requested by AFRICOM for its operations and maintenance activities across the continent in the coming year.

The decision comes against the backdrop of escalating security challenges across Nigeria and neighbouring countries, including threats posed by jihadist groups, armed bandits and maritime criminals.

Nigeria continues to grapple with a prolonged insurgency in the North-East, growing banditry in the North-West and other security concerns nationwide. In the wider sub-region, Mali remains under pressure from militant groups, while northern Benin has recently recorded spillover violence linked to instability in the Sahel.

In recent weeks, the United States has intensified its security collaboration with Nigeria. AFRICOM confirmed the delivery of military equipment to Nigerian security agencies, describing it as part of a deepening partnership aimed at enhancing regional security and stability.

“This delivery supports Nigeria’s ongoing operations and underscores our shared commitment to security,” the command stated.

The funding approval also follows U.S. airstrikes carried out on Christmas Day 2025 against suspected terrorist hideouts in Sokoto State, conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities.