The United States has approved $413 million (about ₦587 billion) for counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria and other African countries in 2026, as security challenges worsen across West Africa.
The allocation is part of the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, obtained by The PUNCH on Thursday. The funds, approved under Title XLIII – Operation and Maintenance, are intended to support the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in assisting local security forces.
AFRICOM recently delivered military equipment to Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen counter-insurgency operations. The budget comes amid persistent insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East, banditry in the North-West, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, and jihadist attacks in Mali and northern Benin.
The NDAA 2026 authorizes $901 billion in overall U.S. military spending, including a 4% pay raise for troops. AFRICOM requested $413.046 million, which was fully approved, though the law does not provide a detailed breakdown of the expenditure. President Donald Trump signed the Act into law on December 18, 2025, marking the 65th consecutive annual authorization.
The Act also establishes a Bureau of African Affairs in the U.S. State Department, headed by an Assistant Secretary for African Affairs. The office will oversee sub-Saharan African affairs and coordinate U.S. foreign policy and assistance in the region.
Additionally, the NDAA mandates assessments of Russia’s military presence and strategy in Africa, including overseas bases, logistics, and power projection, and their implications for U.S. contingency plans under AFRICOM, U.S. Central Command, and U.S. European Command.
Commenting on the development, security analyst Kabir Adamu, CEO of Beacon Consulting, said the funding reflected growing geopolitical rivalry in Africa, driven by economic interests and insecurity. He noted that Russia and China have expanded their influence through military and economic engagement, prompting the United States to adjust its posture on the continent.
“Russia and China have, in practical terms, taken over much of Africa through their economic interests,” Adamu said. “The challenge for the U.S. is how to come in and catch up, and it is unlikely that Russia and China will remain passive while the U.S. attempts to do so.”
Other allocations under the NDAA include $385.744 million for U.S. European Command, $224.971 million for Southern Command, $77.049 million for U.S. Forces Korea, $331.467 million for cyberspace operations, and $550.089 million for cybersecurity initiatives. The subtotal for operating forces under Operation and Maintenance stands at $39.999 billion.
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