US to Build Drone Refueling Station in Nigeria 

By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

The United States and Nigeria have agreed to establish a drone refueling station in Nigeria’s North-East to combat West African extremist groups.

This facility will support long-range surveillance and precision strikes previously hampered by logistics. It marks a major step in enhancing regional security through specialized aerial support.

The station will primarily serve contractor-operated aircraft currently flying from Ghana for reconnaissance over Nigerian territory. By refueling within Nigeria, these drones can significantly increase their “loiter time” over mission areas. This improved endurance is vital for tracking mobile insurgent units across the vast Sahel.

The North-East was selected as the host region after Lagos and Abuja were ruled out due to political sensitivities. As the existing hub for Nigeria’s domestic drone operations, the location keeps U.S. support focused on active combat zones.

This strategic placement ensures a lower profile in major civilian urban centers.

Military officials clarified that the partnership involves no large-scale “boots on the ground” combat deployment. The U.S. role is restricted to technical infrastructure, intelligence sharing, and advisory support. The facility acts as a “force multiplier” for Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts while respecting national sovereignty.

This pact signals a shift toward deeper security cooperation despite past diplomatic tensions over human rights. Both nations are prioritized by the shared threat of ISWAP and Boko Haram.

The agreement includes joint decision-making on targets, ensuring Nigeria maintains oversight of foreign military actions.

Technical teams are expected to finalize the project in the coming months to bridge intelligence gaps in the Lake Chad basin.

Analysts believe this will lead to a more effective aerial campaign against terrorist hideouts. The station remains a cornerstone of renewed efforts to stabilize the region.

Regarding the nature of this military collaboration, a source familiar with the partnership stated, “We’re not going to have boots on the ground. We’re not going to have military leg operation.

They are only going to support Nigeria either in equipment or intelligence or something like that, not in a fighting capacity.”