The United States has delivered military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as Washington and Abuja deepen their security partnership and cooperation against terrorism.

The equipment was transported by a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III and delivered in Lagos and Kainji, according to Channels Television, the originating news source.

US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the equipment was supplied under a Foreign Military Sales agreement between the United States and Nigeria. The command said the delivery would support Nigeria’s efforts to counter terrorism in the region.

AFRICOM said the support was provided at Nigeria’s invitation and would strengthen Nigerian-led counterterrorism operations while respecting the country’s sovereignty.

However, AFRICOM has not disclosed the type, quantity or value of the military equipment delivered.

Security cooperation expands

The delivery comes less than a month after Nigerian and US officials met in Washington to review bilateral security cooperation.

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu led Nigeria’s delegation to the second session of the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group on August 13.

Discussions focused on counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, protection of vulnerable communities, terrorism financing, border security, internally displaced persons and military-to-military cooperation.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the meeting also reviewed the countries’ defence roadmap and outlined the next phase of security collaboration.

The latest equipment delivery follows an expansion of US-Nigeria counterterrorism cooperation in 2026.

In May, AFRICOM, working with the Nigerian government, conducted an operation against ISIS in northeastern Nigeria that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom AFRICOM described as the group’s director of global operations, along with other senior ISIS leaders.

AFRICOM later conducted additional strikes against ISIS targets in northeastern Nigeria in coordination with Abuja.

From tensions to closer military ties

The strengthening military relationship follows tensions between Nigeria and the United States over security and religious freedom late last year.

US President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern on October 31, 2025, under the International Religious Freedom Act.

Despite differences over how Nigeria’s insecurity should be characterised, both countries have continued to expand engagement on counterterrorism and security.

The current cooperation increasingly focuses on Nigerian-led operations supported by US intelligence, training, specialised capabilities and military equipment rather than a large permanent American combat presence.