The United States has approved $413 million for counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria and West Africa for 2026 while creating a new diplomatic bureau for the region, as analysts cite economic rivalry and transnational terror networks as key drivers behind the heightened engagement.
The United States has authorized $413.046 million for its Africa Command (AFRICOM) to conduct counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria and across West Africa in 2026, according to the National Defence Authorisation Act obtained by The PUNCH. The funding, part of a $901 billion annual military spending bill signed into law by President Trump on December 18, 2025, aims to address worsening security conditions marked by persistent insurgency, banditry, and violent extremism in the region. The Act also mandates assessments of Russia’s military strategy and force posture in Africa, highlighting growing geopolitical competition.
Concurrently, the legislation establishes an Assistant Secretary and a Bureau of African Affairs within the U.S. State Department to coordinate foreign policy in sub-Saharan Africa. Security analyst Kabir Adamu commented that the moves reflect intensifying economic rivalry, stating, “The rivalry is driven by economic interests, particularly access to rare earth minerals such as lithium.” Another analyst, Chidi Omeje, framed the engagement as a necessary partnership, noting, “The issues we are dealing with are actually problems associated with the global terrorist network, and if it is a global terrorist network, partnership and collaboration are welcome.” The Nigerian Army has concurrently called for deeper strategic cooperation with the U.S. Army to address the country’s complex security challenges.