The United States has approved a major $346 million arms deal with Nigeria, a move set to bolster the West African nation’s campaign against a persistent wave of terrorist violence. The deal, announced on August 13, 2025, by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), involves a substantial package of munitions, precision bombs, guided rockets, and a suite of technical and logistical support services. According to the DSCA’s official statement, the U.S. State Department granted the green light after the agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the possible sale.
The arms package is both extensive and technologically advanced. It includes 1,002 MK-82 general-purpose 500-pound bombs, 1,002 MXU-650 Air Foil Groups for Paveway II GBU-12, 515 MXU-1006 Air Foil Groups for Paveway II GBU-58, and 1,517 MAU-169 or MAU-209 computer control groups for Paveway II GBU-12/GBU-58. Nigeria will also receive 1,002 FMU-152 joint programmable fuzes and 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) all-up-rounds, comprising state-of-the-art guidance sections, high-explosive warheads, and rocket motors.
But that’s not all. The deal brings in a range of non-major defense equipment items, such as FMU-139 joint programmable fuzes, bomb components, impulse cartridges, and both high-explosive and practice rockets. Integration support, test equipment, and comprehensive logistical and program support services are also part of the package. Contractors including RTX Missiles and Defense, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and BAE Systems will provide technical expertise, engineering, logistics, integration support, and training to ensure the Nigerian military can absorb and effectively deploy these new assets.
This U.S. move comes at a critical time for Nigeria. The country has been grappling with relentless attacks from terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), particularly in the northeastern state of Borno. According to Africa News, Nigeria has intensified its military operations in the region, reportedly killing 592 insurgents over the past eight months. Air Chief Hasan Abubakar noted that “the military has intensified precision air strikes this year, significantly degrading insurgent networks.” The hope is that these new weapons will further sharpen the military’s precision strike capabilities, making future operations even more effective.
Despite these efforts, the violence has shown little sign of abating. As reported by Eastleigh Voice, insurgency attacks have killed thousands and displaced many more, raising fears of a deepening humanitarian and security crisis. The U.S. arms deal aims to tip the scales in Nigeria’s favor. The DSCA’s statement emphasized, “This proposed sale will improve Nigeria’s capability to meet current and future threats through operations against terrorist organizations and to counter illicit trafficking in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.”
The Gulf of Guinea, a vital shipping corridor, has been plagued by illicit trafficking and piracy, adding another layer of urgency to Nigeria’s security challenges. The U.S. government, however, has been clear that the sale will not alter the military balance in the region or impact U.S. defense readiness. “Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Nigeria,” the DSCA said. “There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”
Interestingly, there are no offset agreements currently proposed as part of the deal—a detail that leaves room for future negotiations between Nigeria and the contractors. The DSCA added, “Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.” The agency also pointed out that the final dollar value could be lower than the $346 million estimate, depending on final requirements and signed sales agreements.
The arms deal is being closely watched, both within Nigeria and internationally. For Nigeria, the acquisition of such advanced weaponry marks a significant escalation in its fight against insurgency and organized crime. The Nigerian military has already ramped up its operations, with precision air strikes reportedly degrading the capabilities of terrorist networks. The expectation is that the new munitions and support systems will further enhance these efforts, allowing for more targeted and effective action against groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP.
On the U.S. side, the sale serves multiple objectives. As stated by the DSCA, “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.” The U.S. sees Nigeria as a key ally in the region, and strengthening its military capabilities aligns with broader efforts to promote stability and counter extremist threats across West Africa.
Yet, the deal is not without its critics. Human rights organizations and some lawmakers have previously expressed concerns about the potential misuse of advanced weaponry in regions where civilian populations are at risk. The U.S. government, for its part, maintains that Nigeria “will have no difficulty absorbing these munitions into its armed forces.” Still, the international community will be watching closely to ensure that the weapons are used in accordance with international law and for the stated purpose of combating terrorism and illicit trafficking.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government is under pressure to demonstrate that this significant investment translates into real progress on the ground. The country’s northeast remains volatile, and the humanitarian toll of the conflict continues to mount. As the World Food Programme recently warned, the suspension of humanitarian aid in Northeast Nigeria could leave 1.3 million people at risk—a stark reminder that military solutions must be paired with broader efforts to address the root causes of instability.
For now, the $346 million arms package stands as one of the most high-profile demonstrations of U.S.-Nigeria security cooperation in recent years. With the ink barely dry on the approval papers, all eyes are on Abuja and Washington to see how this deal will reshape the battle against terrorism and organized crime in one of Africa’s most pivotal nations.
As Nigeria prepares to integrate these new weapons into its arsenal, the stakes could hardly be higher. Success could mark a turning point in the country’s long-running struggle against insurgency and trafficking—while failure would underscore the limits of military power in the face of complex, deeply rooted challenges.
