The United States has confirmed plans to send approximately 200 military personnel to Nigeria in a move aimed at reinforcing the West African nation’s ability to confront Islamist militant groups and improve joint counter‑terrorism operations.
The deployment, announced by officials from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), will expand existing cooperation between Washington and Abuja, building on a small contingent of American forces already present in Nigeria.
Those earlier forces were sent in the wake of heightened security consultations and follow U.S. airstrikes on militant camps in December 2025.
According to Nigerian Defence Headquarters spokesman Major‑General Samaila Uba, the additional American troops will focus on training, technical support, intelligence sharing and operational coordination with Nigerian counterparts, particularly in planning and executing combined air and ground actions against extremist elements.
U.S. and Nigerian officials have stressed that the American personnel will not engage in direct combat, instead serving in advisory and support roles designed to enhance the effectiveness of Nigerian security forces confronting groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The move follows high‑level discussions between U.S. military leadership and President Bola Tinubu, reflecting a mutual interest in deepening bilateral security cooperation amidst persistent insurgent threats across northern Nigeria.
Washington also conducted surveillance flights over the country and carried out strikes on militant positions last December.
However, the deployment has reignited public debate within Nigeria over the presence of foreign troops, with government officials clarifying that U.S. support is focused solely on strengthening Nigerian capabilities without infringing on national sovereignty.
AFRIPOST reports that Nigeria continues to grapple with a protracted insurgency that has spanned more than a decade, displacing millions and affecting security across the northern and central regions.
The escalation of U.S. involvement shows growing international concern over the durability of current counter‑terrorism efforts and highlights the complexity of external assistance in sovereign military affairs.