The United States has intensified military training for Nigerian troops, focusing on unmanned aircraft systems, combat casualty care and other specialised skills as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security cooperation between the two countries.
The training is being conducted at an operating location in Bauchi State under a broader US-Nigeria security cooperation mission aimed at improving military capability, operational readiness and long-term partner capacity.
The United States Africa Command disclosed the development in a report released on Monday.
According to AFRICOM, the joint training covers Combat Lifesaver and Tactical Combat Casualty Care, weapons familiarisation, camouflage, water treatment and testing, explosive ordnance disposal, small-unit tactics and unmanned aircraft systems.
“U.S. and Nigerian forces are conducting a series of training events at Operating Location Bauchi, Nigeria, aimed at sharing military expertise, strengthening partner capacity and building relationships between service members from both nations,” the report stated.
It added that the training programmes were developed based on areas of expertise available among US forces and specific needs identified by Nigerian military personnel.
Captain Gabriel Feingold, a logistics officer with the US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, and operations officer at OL Bauchi, said American units presented Nigerian military leaders with a range of training options.
“We bring them a list of several different training topics, and they select what they think would be most beneficial for them,” Feingold said.
AFRICOM said unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, generated significant interest among Nigerian personnel. Sergeant Mark Murphy, an intelligence analyst assigned to the 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, trained about 10 members of the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces Regiment.
The programme began with classroom instruction before the Nigerian personnel moved to hands-on training on operating the aircraft. Participants were also taught how to deploy unmanned systems and incorporate intelligence gathered through the platforms into military operations.
“They were really excited with being able to get hands-on time with it,” Murphy said, adding that the Nigerian personnel expressed interest in receiving further training.
Beyond technical skills, the joint exercises are also designed to strengthen working relationships and improve interoperability between the US and Nigerian forces.
Feingold said the engagement was particularly valuable in building relationships among personnel at the lower levels of both military organisations.
“It helps build relationships between Soldiers and the partner force, especially at the lower levels,” he said.
The report noted that US and Nigerian personnel also participate in recreational activities, including basketball and volleyball, when operational commitments and weather conditions permit.
AFRICOM said additional training opportunities are being developed at OL Bauchi as both countries continue to identify areas where their personnel can exchange expertise and train together.
The latest training comes after AFRICOM disclosed in July that the United States had withdrawn most of the troops deployed to Nigeria for a specific counterterrorism operation, while maintaining intelligence-sharing and broader security cooperation with Nigerian authorities.
