Who would have thought that U.S.–Nigeria defense relations would be stronger under the Trump administration than they were during the Biden and Obama eras? While Obama blocked Nigeria’s attempt to acquire U.S.-made helicopters via Israel, citing Nigeria’s anti-LGBTQ stance and human rights concerns, those same helicopters are now being built in American factories for the Nigerian Air Force. While Biden suspended the sale of Super Tucanos to Nigeria over human rights concerns, it was Trump who lifted the ban and approved the deal. Today the U.S. has not only resumed intelligence sharing with Nigeria, but significantly expanded it. Something that would have been unthinkable during the Biden and Obama years. Not since the Bush and Obasanjo era have defense ties between the two countries been this close. It appears Republican administrations take a more pragmatic approach to defense relations with Nigeria than Democrats.

Who would have thought that U.S.–Nigeria defense relations would be stronger under the Trump administration than they were during the Biden and Obama eras? While Obama blocked Nigeria’s attempt to acquire U.S.-made helicopters via Israel, citing Nigeria’s anti-LGBTQ stance and human rights concerns, those same helicopters are now being built in American factories for the Nigerian Air Force. While Biden suspended the sale of Super Tucanos to Nigeria over human rights concerns, it was Trump who lifted the ban and approved the deal. Today the U.S. has not only resumed intelligence sharing with Nigeria, but significantly expanded it. Something that would have been unthinkable during the Biden and Obama years. Not since the Bush and Obasanjo era have defense ties between the two countries been this close. It appears Republican administrations take a more pragmatic approach to defense relations with Nigeria than Democrats.