U.S. Expands Intelligence Sharing with Nigeria, After Years of Drone Operations from Niger
The United States has increased intelligence cooperation with Nigeria, a shift that comes after years of operating drone and surveillance operations in Africa without sharing crucial information with the West African nation.
Until 2024, Air Base 201 in Agadez, Niger, served as America’s primary hub for drone operations and intelligence gathering in Africa.
The facility, the largest U.S. Air Force-led construction project in history, was built between 2016 and 2019 at a cost of $110 million. In addition, the CIA operated a parallel facility known as Air Base 101 in Niamey.
From Air Base 201, the U.S. flew MQ-9 Reaper drones to monitor a wide range of terrorist groups across the Sahel region. Despite the intelligence gathered, the U.S. repeatedly declined to share information with Nigeria during that period, limiting the country’s ability to respond to emerging security threats.
Recent developments indicate a significant policy shift, with the U.S. now willing to share intelligence with Nigerian security agencies, even though drone operations are now conducted from greater distances across the continent.
Analysts say the move could improve Nigeria’s capacity to combat terrorism and organized crime in the region, particularly amid ongoing insurgencies in the northeast and banditry in the northwest.
The expanded intelligence sharing is seen as part of broader U.S. efforts to strengthen regional security cooperation in Africa and bolster partnerships with key West African nations.
