Nigeria-US Army Ties: COAS Pushes for Stronger Alliance

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has advocated for intensified strategic collaboration with the United States Army to tackle the nation’s complex security threats. During a courtesy visit by US Defence Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Semira Moore at Army Headquarters in Abuja on January 14, 2026, Shaibu praised the longstanding US support, noting its role in enhancing Nigerian military professionalism. Many senior Nigerian officers, including himself, have trained at top US institutions, underscoring the robust bilateral ties.

Push for Expanded Cooperation

Shaibu stressed the need to draw on US expertise in both combat and non-combat operations to boost Nigerian Army capabilities. He called for broader partnerships in operational training, capacity building, doctrine refinement, and strategic planning to fortify Nigeria’s security framework. Such alliances, he added, are vital for promoting lasting peace amid rising insurgencies and regional instability.​

Lieutenant Colonel Moore echoed this sentiment, reaffirming US dedication to the partnership through intelligence exchange, joint planning, and non-kinetic support like humanitarian aid and soldier welfare programs. These efforts aim to sustain troop morale during demanding field missions.

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Context of Recent US Support

This appeal follows recent US actions bolstering Nigeria’s counter-terrorism drive, including critical military supplies delivered in Abuja on January 13, 2026, by US Africa Command (AFRICOM). The aid supports operations against Islamic State affiliates, building on a December 2025 airstrike in Sokoto State that eliminated militants. These moves highlight a deepening security alliance under President Donald Trump’s administration, with Nigeria prioritizing civilian safety in all efforts.