Wayne Lumbasi
Nigeria has entered negotiations with the United States for a $346 million arms deal aimed at boosting its military capabilities in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and insurgency.
The proposed agreement will see the U.S. supply Nigeria with advanced helicopters, surveillance systems, and precision-guided weapons. Officials say the package is critical for enhancing airpower and intelligence gathering in ongoing operations against Boko Haram and Islamic State–West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Security experts argue that the deal highlights Washington’s renewed strategic interest in West Africa, as instability in the Sahel threatens regional and global security.
For Nigeria, the arms purchase signals a commitment to modernizing its forces amid mounting pressure from citizens over rising insecurity.
Nigeria army patrols along the Kaduna Birnin Gwari area in Nigeria /Courtesy/
Critics, however, warn that without reforms in accountability and human rights compliance, such weapons could deepen mistrust between the military and civilian populations.
The U.S. government has previously withheld arms sales to Nigeria over concerns of misuse and rights violations. Still, defense analysts believe this deal could reset ties between Abuja and Washington, potentially opening the door for deeper counterterrorism cooperation.
If finalized, the $346 million arms package would mark one of Nigeria’s largest defense acquisitions in recent years, underscoring both the scale of its security crisis and its reliance on foreign partners to confront it.
