The United States has requested permission to establish a drone refuelling hub in Nigeria as part of efforts to expand security and intelligence cooperation in West Africa.
According to diplomatic and security sources, the proposed facility would serve as a logistical support point for US surveillance and strike-capable drones currently operating from Accra, Ghana, enabling extended missions into Nigerian airspace and across the wider region. The plan is aimed at improving real-time intelligence gathering and counterterrorism operations.
Talks between Nigerian and US officials are said to be at an advanced stage, with a state in the North-East reportedly identified as the potential host location. The region has remained a focal point of counter-insurgency efforts due to persistent security challenges linked to insurgent and extremist groups.
The proposal has, however, triggered fresh debate over national sovereignty and the growing scale of America’s military presence in West Africa. Analysts say the establishment of a US drone refuelling hub in Nigeria could significantly deepen military cooperation but may also raise public concerns about foreign bases and the implications for Nigeria’s security independence.
Supporters of the plan argue that the facility would enhance Nigeria’s ability to monitor cross-border movements of armed groups and improve aerial surveillance coverage in difficult terrain. They add that closer intelligence-sharing with Washington could strengthen regional stability.
Critics, on the other hand, warn that hosting a foreign drone facility could make Nigeria a strategic target and complicate relations with neighbouring countries. They also stress the need for transparency and legislative oversight if the government proceeds with the arrangement.
If approved, the project would mark a major step in defence collaboration between Abuja and Washington and further entrench the role of the US drone refuelling hub in Nigeria in regional surveillance and security operations.