The United States plans to deploy approximately 200 troops to Nigeria to provide training and support for the country’s military in its fight against Islamist militant groups, officials from U.S. Africa Command said. The troops are expected to arrive in the coming weeks and will join a small U.S. contingent already stationed in the country, Reuters reported.
U.S. officials said the deployment is aimed at helping Nigerian forces enhance their training, coordination, and technical capabilities, including operations that combine ground and air assets. The mission is advisory in nature, with U.S. personnel assisting but not engaging in direct combat, according to CNBC Africa and Investing.com.
The deployment follows earlier U.S. military actions in Nigeria, including airstrikes in December 2025 against targets linked to Islamic State affiliates and ongoing surveillance flights. Washington has emphasised that the additional troops will support Nigerian forces’ efforts against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), not replace them.
Nigerian authorities welcomed the assistance, noting that local forces remain responsible for security operations and that U.S. support is intended solely to strengthen national capacity. Analysts say the deployment reflects growing military cooperation between the two countries amid rising insurgent activity in northern and northeastern Nigeria.
