Us Troops on Ground in Nigeria
By Uche Vera
- World Bank MD Hails Nigeria as Global Reference Point for Steady, Credible Reforms
- US Deplys Ground Troops to Nigeria in Expanded Security Cooperation
- Telcos to Invest ₦1.4trn in Nationwide Network Expansion
- Banks Recapitalisation : The Race Intensifies Ahead of March 2026 Deadline
- Micro Insurance Gains Ground as Nigeria Pushes for Financial Inclusion
United States of America has deployed a contingent of ground troops to Nigeria, marking the first official acknowledgment of U.S. military personnel on Nigerian soil in recent history, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The deployment was announced by General Dagvin Anderson Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), during a press briefing on Tuesday.
According to Anderson, the move follows recent security cooperation between the U.S. and Nigerian governments and reflects a broader effort to strengthen bilateral ties in the face of persistent security challenges. General Anderson described the troop presence as a ‘small U.S. team’ brought into the country to support Nigeria’s ongoing counterterrorism and security operations. He said the unit would “bring some unique capabilities from the United States in order to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years.”
The U.S. military official said the deployment stemmed from discussions he held with President Bola Tinubu in Rome late last year, where both leaders agreed on the need for deeper cooperation on security matters. Anderson declined to provide specific details on the size of the team, its exact location in Nigeria, or the full extent of its mission.
It is not yet known when the U.S. personnel arrived in Nigeria. General Anderson did not disclose whether the deployed team would participate directly in combat operations or serve primarily in advisory, logistical, or intelligence capacities.The statement by AFRICOM represents the first confirmation of American boots on the ground in Nigeria since the Trump administration ordered missile strikes on suspected militant positions in Sokoto State on Christmas Day 2025, also in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
In addition to the newly deployed troops, U.S. officials previously led a high-level interagency working group to Abuja, the Nigerian capital, to engage with security officials in bilateral talks aimed at enhancing cooperation and coordination on shared security threats.
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), confirmed that a small team of U.S. military personnel is operating in the country, though he also declined to provide further operational details.The Nigerian government has maintained that cooperation with foreign partners on security matters remains subject to respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and is carried out in ways that support the country’s national interests. At the briefing, neither U.S. nor Nigerian officials elaborated on the command structure or legal framework governing the America presence.
Nigeria has been grappling with a complex and multifaceted security crisis for more than a decade. Islamist militant groups such as Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), continue to carry out attacks on military convoys, communities, and civilians in the northeast and other parts of the country.
In recent months, the intensity and geographic spread of violence have prompted international concern and increased pressure on the Nigerian government to intensify its response to armed groups and criminal activities.
Prior to the deployment, the U.S. carried out airstrikes targeting Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria in December 2025.U.S.-Nigeria security cooperation has included intelligence sharing, surveillance flights conducted from regional bases, and the delivery of military supplies to support Nigerian forces.
General Anderson’s announcement did not include a timeline for the U.S. forces’ stay in Nigeria, nor did it specify particular future operations. The United States Africa Command said it would provide further updates as appropriate, but stressed that the deployment aims to enhance the capability of Nigerian forces in their fight against extremist and violent groups.
The development marks a notable moment in U.S.-Nigeria military relations, representing an escalation from advisory engagement to an acknowledged military presence, albeit on a limited scale. It underscores the evolving dynamics of cooperation between the two countries on issues of regional peace and security.
- World Bank MD Hails Nigeria as Global Reference Point for Steady, Credible Reforms
- US Deplys Ground Troops to Nigeria in Expanded Security Cooperation
- Telcos to Invest ₦1.4trn in Nationwide Network Expansion
- Banks Recapitalisation : The Race Intensifies Ahead of March 2026 Deadline
- Micro Insurance Gains Ground as Nigeria Pushes for Financial Inclusion