The United States has approved a significant funding package for counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria, signaling a major “thaw” in security relations between Washington and Abuja.
Under the newly authorised US National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for 2026, more than $413m (£325m; N587bn) has been allocated for operations under the US Africa Command (AFRICOM).
The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF), a prominent political pressure group, described the funding as a “vote of confidence” in President Bola Tinubu’s administration. They argue it represents a move away from “punitive posturing” by the US toward a more “constructive partnership.”
From ‘Concern’ to ‘Collaboration’
Security ties between the two nations have often been strained by US concerns over human rights and local military tactics. However, this latest move suggests a pragmatic shift in Washington.
“The allocation reflects a growing acknowledgement that insecurity in West Africa is not a localised challenge, but a shared global threat,” the TSF said in a statement on Sunday.
The group credited Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, for “recalibrating” the relationship. They praised his role in shifting bilateral talks from “coercion to cooperation” while defending Nigeria’s sovereignty.
[Image: Nigerian security forces during a joint training exercise with US AFRICOM advisors]
More than just ‘Hardware’
While the funding will support the delivery of military equipment, the TSF highlighted that the “deeper level of trust” is evident in new intelligence-sharing frameworks.
Key developments in the partnership include:
- Joint Working Group: A new framework for coordinated counter-terrorism actions.
- Surveillance Cooperation: Enhanced satellite and drone intelligence-sharing to disrupt bandit networks.
- Direct Funding: Support for specific operations aimed at protecting civilian populations in vulnerable northern regions.
Analysis: A strategic win for Tinubu
By Segun Ojumu, Africa Eye News, Abuja
For years, Nigeria felt it was being “lectured” by Washington while fighting a desperate war against Boko Haram and bandits. This $413m allocation suggests that President Tinubu’s “shuttle diplomacy” is paying off.
By framing Nigeria’s internal security as a “shared global threat,” the administration has managed to unlock American resources that were previously tied up in red tape. However, the US Congress will likely be watching closely. This isn’t a blank cheque; Washington still expects transparency in how this money—and the weapons it buys—are used on the ground.
The first wave of new equipment under this act is expected to arrive within the quarter.
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