The shipment lands weeks after Nigeria’s Defence HQ moved to clarify reports of a US troop drawdown, insisting cooperation remains intact.
The United States has delivered military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force as part of the two countries’ bilateral counterterrorism collaboration, in the latest sign of expanding defence cooperation between Washington and Abuja.
The delivery, transported aboard a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, arrived over the weekend at locations in Lagos and Kainji, and was disclosed by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) in a post on X on Thursday.
“PARTNERSHIP IN ACTION: A U.S. Air Force C-17 delivers equipment to the Nigerian Air Force this weekend.
The equipment is part of a foreign military sales agreement that furthers the U.S.-Nigerian partnership and will aid in Nigeria’s efforts to counter terrorism in the region,” AFRICOM said.
What we know, and don’t know, about the shipment
AFRICOM did not disclose the specific type, quantity or value of the equipment delivered. The command stressed that the support was provided at Nigeria’s invitation and is intended to strengthen Nigerian-led counterterrorism operations while respecting the country’s sovereignty.
It is not immediately clear whether this delivery forms part of the $346 million Foreign Military Sale approved by the US State Department in August 2025, which included munitions, precision bombs and precision rockets intended to support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and illicit arms trafficking.
The US has approved several other major weapons sales to Nigeria in recent years, including 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft worth about $593 million and 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters estimated at $997 million, agreements dating back to between 2017 and 2022.
According to multiple reports, some of that earlier equipment has already been delivered, while other items remain outstanding.
Part of a fast-deepening security partnership
The delivery comes less than a month after Nigerian and US officials met in Washington to review their broader security partnership. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu led a Nigerian delegation to the second session of the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group on 13 August, a follow-up to an earlier session held in Abuja in January, with discussions covering counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, protection of vulnerable communities, terrorism financing, border security, internally displaced persons and military-to-military cooperation.
The cooperation has intensified through 2026, including joint operations, intelligence sharing and military training.
In May, AFRICOM, coordinating with the Nigerian government, conducted a strike against ISIS targets in North-East Nigeria that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described by AFRICOM as the group’s director of global operations, along with other senior ISIS leaders, with additional coordinated strikes following in subsequent months.
The relationship had earlier been strained after President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” and accused the Nigerian government of failing to adequately protect Christian communities from terrorist violence, a characterisation Nigerian authorities rejected, insisting insurgents and armed groups target Nigerians regardless of religion or ethnicity.
The two countries subsequently reached a bilateral agreement under which the US deployed about 200 military personnel to Nigeria to provide training, intelligence and operational support.
Clarifying reports of a US troop drawdown
Earlier this month, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters moved to clarify reports concerning a planned partial withdrawal of those roughly 200 US military personnel, after the reports raised questions about the durability of the security partnership.
Defence spokesperson Major General Samaila Uba said the adjustment was tied to specific operational objectives and did not signal a breakdown in the relationship between the two countries.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to clarify that the reported withdrawal… does not amount to a termination of the security cooperation between both nations,” Uba said.
Presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga separately highlighted AFRICOM’s delivery announcement on X, framing it as continued evidence of the growing defence partnership between the two countries.
