The United States has approved a $413 million security funding package for counter-insurgency and stability operations in Nigeria and other West African countries for the 2026 fiscal year.

The approval followed the signing of the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) into law in December 2025, marking a major boost to Washington’s security engagement in the region.

The funding will be provided through the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) budget and is aimed at supporting military operations, intelligence sharing, and regional security efforts as insecurity continues to worsen across parts of West Africa.

The allocation forms part of a massive $901 billion defence spending package approved by the US Congress. The legislation also includes a four per cent pay rise for American service members, marking the 65th consecutive year that a defence budget has been authorised.

Although the Act does not break down how the $413 million will be shared among individual countries, the amount represents the full sum requested by AFRICOM for its Africa operations and maintenance budget.

The approval comes at a time of rising security threats across Nigeria and neighbouring states. Nigeria continues to battle a long-running insurgency in the North-East, increasing bandit attacks in the North-West, and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. Across the wider region, Mali is facing renewed militant activity, while northern Benin has also been affected by violence spilling over from the Sahel.

In recent weeks, security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States has intensified. AFRICOM recently confirmed the delivery of military equipment to Nigerian security agencies in Abuja, describing the move as part of a shared commitment to regional security.

“This delivery supports Nigeria’s ongoing operations and emphasises our shared security partnership,” the command said in a statement.

The growing engagement follows US air strikes carried out on Christmas Day 2025 on suspected terrorist hideouts in Sokoto State, in coordination with Nigerian authorities. The operation highlights deeper US involvement in the region through intelligence sharing and operational support against extremist groups.

Beyond funding, the new defence law also introduces major policy changes. It establishes a new Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the US State Department and creates a Bureau of African Affairs to improve coordination of US foreign policy and assistance across sub-Saharan Africa.

The legislation further mandates a comprehensive review of Russia’s military presence and activities in Africa, a move expected to shape future US strategy involving AFRICOM and other US regional commands.