The United States plans to spend ₦587 billion ($413.046 million) on counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria and other African countries in 2026 amid worsening security conditions across West Africa.
The allocation is contained in the U.S. National Defence Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2026. The funds were approved under Title XLIII – Operation and Maintenance.
The security budget for the U.S. Africa Command comes against the backdrop of the Christmas Day attacks on terrorists’ hideouts in Sokoto State by the Donald Trump administration.
On Tuesday, AFRICOM delivered a consignment of military equipment to Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security operations across the country.
The NDAA 2026 is a comprehensive bill that outlines defense policy priorities and authorises $901 billion in annual military spending, with a 4 per cent pay raise for troops. AFRICOM requested $413.046 million and the same amount was authorised, but the Act did not provide a breakdown of how the funds would be spent.
The Act was signed into law by President Trump on December 18, 2025, marking the 65th consecutive annual authorisation.
The $413 million budget for security operations comes as West Africa continues to grapple with insurgency, banditry and violent extremism.
In Nigeria, insurgency in the North-East and banditry in the North-West persist, even as piracy and other maritime crimes remain concerns in the Gulf of Guinea.
Mali is under persistent attacks by jihadist groups, while northern Benin has witnessed a spillover of violence from the Sahel.
Other commands and activities listed under the operation and maintenance category of the NDAA include the United States European Command with a $385.744 million budget, United States Southern Command with $224.971 million, U.S. Forces Korea with a $77.049 million allocation, Cyberspace Activities (Cyberspace Operations), $331.467 million and Cyberspace Activities (Cybersecurity), $550.089 million.
The subtotal for operating forces under operation and maintenance in the Act stands at $39.999 billion.
The Act also provides for the establishment of an Assistant Secretary for African Affairs within the U.S. Department of State.
The office, according to the Act, will oversee matters relating to sub-Saharan Africa and coordinate the implementation of U.S. foreign policy in the region.
In addition, the Appropriation Act establishes a Bureau of African Affairs, to be headed by the Assistant Secretary, to manage U.S. foreign policy implementation and assistance to sub-Saharan Africa.
“(5) BUREAU OF AFRICAN AFFAIRS. (A) ESTABLISHMENT: There shall be in the Department of State a Bureau of African Affairs, which shall perform such functions related to implementation of United States foreign policy and assistance to sub-Saharan Africa as the Under Secretary for Political Affairs may prescribe.”
‘’(B) HEAD: The Assistant Secretary for African Affairs shall be the head of the Bureau of African Affairs.
‘’(9) ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR AFRICAN AFFAIRS: (A) ESTABLISHMENT. There shall be in the Department of State an Assistant Secretary for African Affairs who shall be responsible to the Secretary of State, acting through the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, for “(i) matters relating to sub-Saharan Africa; and “(ii) such other related duties as the Secretary may from time to time designate.
“(B) Responsibilities: In addition to the responsibilities described under subparagraph (A), the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of all matters pertaining to implementation of United States foreign policy in sub-Saharan Africa,” the Act partly read.
The Act further mandates assessments of Russia’s military strategy, objectives and force posture affecting African countries.
This includes a review of Russia’s overseas military basing, logistics capabilities and infrastructure used to project power on the continent, as well as the implications for U.S. contingency plans under AFRICOM, U.S. Central Command and US European Command.
“An assessment of the military strategy objectives and force posture of Russia that affect countries in Africa; A description of Russia’s overseas military basing, military logistics capabilities, and infrastructure to project power.
“An analysis of the impact of such an action on the ability of the Armed Forces to execute contingency plans of the Department of Defence, including those in the area of responsibility of United States European Command or in support of operations and crisis response in the areas of responsibility of United States Central Command and United States Africa Command.’’
“The reduction of the risk of executing contingency plans of the Department of Defence, including contingency plans conducted by United States Central Command and United States Africa Command,” the Act stated.
The PUNCH
