The United States has announced plans to deploy about 200 military personnel to Nigeria in the coming weeks to support the country’s armed forces in their fight against Islamist insurgent groups that have destabilised parts of the nation for more than a decade.
The deployment, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, will expand an existing U.S. military presence in Nigeria, where a small American team is already assisting with air strike targeting and intelligence support.
The move signals a significant strengthening of U.S.–Nigeria security cooperation and follows earlier joint actions, including U.S. airstrikes carried out in Nigeria last December and the deployment of American military specialists earlier this year.
According to officials, the U.S. personnel will not take part in direct combat. Instead, they will focus on training, technical guidance, intelligence sharing and operational coordination with Nigerian forces.
“We are getting U.S. troops to assist in training and technical support,” Major General Samaila Uba, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, told journalist.
He explained that the additional troops would help Nigerian forces plan and synchronise complex joint operations, particularly those involving coordinated air and ground missions against jihadist groups.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the planned deployment, noting that the personnel are expected to arrive within weeks.
Nigeria has faced sustained diplomatic pressure from Washington over worsening insecurity, which U.S. President Donald Trump has previously described as “persecution” and “genocide” against Christians. Despite these tensions, both countries have continued to deepen military collaboration.
In December, the U.S. carried out airstrikes targeting militants in Sokoto State in northwest Nigeria as part of a joint operation with Nigerian forces, officials from both countries confirmed.
Looking ahead, the U.S. military has said it will continue to provide intelligence support for Nigerian air operations and help fast-track arms procurement to strengthen the country’s counterinsurgency capabilities.
While the planned deployment represents a notable escalation in cooperation, Uba stressed that American troops would not be engaged in frontline fighting.
“U.S. troops aren’t going to be involved in direct combat or operations,” he told The Wall Street Journal, adding that Nigeria formally requested the additional assistance.
