US Military Presence in Nigeria Based on Invitation, Respect for Sovereignty – AFRICOM
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has reaffirmed that its military cooperation with Nigeria is founded on mutual respect, shared security interests, and full recognition of Nigeria’s sovereignty, stressing that American forces operate in the country strictly at the invitation of the Nigerian government.
AFRICOM’s Director of Public Affairs, Colonel Rebecca Heyse, made the clarification during an X Space discussion on Tuesday titled, “Strengthening Security Through Strategic Information Sharing: United States and Nigerian Military Partnership Against Terrorism.”
According to Heyse, the military partnership between both countries is not an imposition but a collaborative effort aimed at addressing common security challenges.
“Our operations and cooperation with Nigeria are rooted in fundamental respect for Nigerian sovereignty. We operate strictly by invitation and under the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group framework,” she said.
She added that the United States would remain committed to the partnership for as long as it continued to serve the interests of both nations.
“As long as there are shared security threats and the framework continues to be of value to both countries, the United States remains committed to the partnership,” Heyse stated.
Also speaking during the discussion, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, underscored that Nigeria remains in control of the collaboration and determines its scope and duration.
“The cooperation is at the instance of Nigeria. The competencies, specialised capabilities and expertise the United States brings are things we require, and as long as we require them, we will continue to work together under the Joint Working Group framework,” Uba said.
He disclosed that hundreds of Nigerian military personnel are currently undergoing specialised training in the North-East under the partnership, noting that the Armed Forces of Nigeria have benefited significantly from the arrangement.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria are benefiting immensely from this collaboration, including skills development and specialised training. There are many operational lessons we continue to learn through our interaction with the United States,” he added.
Presidential spokesman, Sunday Dare, also commended the partnership, saying it has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts and enhanced the effectiveness of military operations against terrorist groups.
“We want to thank the US government for the active collaboration they have had with our military.
“Nigeria has seen the war against terror increase in tempo and consistency, and we have recorded massive successes in counter-insurgency operations,” Dare said.
The military partnership gained increased attention in November 2025 when then-President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” alleging that Christians in the country faced an existential threat and that thousands had been killed by radical Islamist groups.
The Federal Government rejected the allegation of widespread religious persecution and instead sought stronger collaboration with the United States in prosecuting the war against insurgency and terrorism.
On Christmas Day 2025, acting on Trump’s directive, AFRICOM conducted missile strikes against ISIS militants in Sokoto State in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
Following the operation, the United States deployed about 200 military personnel to support the training of Nigerian troops engaged in the fight against Islamist insurgents.
Officials say the collaboration has recorded notable successes, including the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described by some security analysts as the second-in-command of ISIS globally.
The renewed remarks by AFRICOM and Nigerian military authorities come amid growing public interest in the nature and extent of foreign military involvement in Nigeria’s ongoing counter-terrorism operations.