The United States has intensified its security partnership with Nigeria by providing specialized military training to Nigerian troops in Bauchi State.
The training, being conducted at a U.S. Operating Location in Bauchi, is aimed at strengthening the capabilities, operational readiness and long-term effectiveness of Nigeria’s armed forces. The initiative is part of a broader security cooperation programme between Washington and Abuja.
According to the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Nigerian personnel are receiving instruction in several areas, including Tactical Combat Casualty Care, weapons handling, camouflage techniques, water treatment and testing, explosive ordnance disposal, small-unit tactics and unmanned aircraft systems.
The training programme was designed around the specific needs identified by Nigerian military authorities. U.S. personnel presented Nigerian commanders with several training options, allowing them to select areas they considered most important.
Capt. Gabriel Feingold, a logistics officer with the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa and the operations officer at the Bauchi location, said the approach was intended to ensure that the training addressed the practical needs of Nigeria’s forces.
One area that generated particular interest was unmanned aircraft systems. Sgt. Mark Murphy, an intelligence analyst with the 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, trained approximately 10 members of the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces Regiment in the use of the technology.
The UAS training combined classroom instruction with practical exercises. Nigerian personnel were taught how to operate and deploy the aircraft, as well as how to use intelligence collected by the systems to support military operations.
AFRICOM said the Nigerian troops showed considerable enthusiasm during the practical sessions and expressed interest in receiving further instruction on the technology.
The cooperation extends beyond technical military training. U.S. and Nigerian personnel are also using the exercises to strengthen relationships and improve interoperability between the two forces. According to Feingold, interactions at the lower levels of both militaries are particularly valuable for building trust and stronger working relationships.
When operational duties and weather conditions allow, the personnel also participate in recreational activities such as basketball and volleyball, providing additional opportunities for interaction between the two forces.
AFRICOM said the United States and Nigeria are continuing to explore additional training programmes at the Bauchi location as both sides identify new areas for sharing expertise and improving military capabilities.
The latest initiative comes shortly after AFRICOM announced in July that the United States had withdrawn most of the troops deployed to Nigeria for a specific counterterrorism mission. Despite the reduction in U.S. personnel, Washington has maintained intelligence-sharing arrangements and a broader security partnership with Abuja.
The continued training in Bauchi therefore highlights a shift toward strengthening Nigeria’s own military capabilities while maintaining close U.S.-Nigeria cooperation in the fight against security threats.
US Deepens Military Cooperation With Nigeria
