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US cuts aid to Niger after July’s coup
The United States has formally declared the military takeover in Republic of Niger as coup de’tat.
In July, the military ousted President Mohamed Bazoum – an ally of Western nations in the fight against jihadist insurgents.
Under US law, a formal designation of a coup requires that aid is suspended.
The US State Department ,according to BBC report, said: “assistance to Niger would only be resumed if the coup leaders ushered in a democratic government.
“It is understood that Washington will keep its troops in Niger for the time being.
“A US official said the troops were no longer actively helping Nigerien forces but would continue to monitor threats from jihadists.”
An official said last week that the US Embassy can continue to operate and the US military will be able to legally keep forces in Niger if a coup designation is made, US officials said.
But the Pentagon is still assessing how the change will impact the approximately 1,000 US forces stationed in the country, officials said.
US officials said it is unlikely that US forces withdraw completely, and some will probably stay in a more limited intelligence gathering role.
“As we continue our diplomatic engagements to preserve civilian rule in Niger we are continuing to assess additional next steps but have nothing to preview at this time,” a State Department spokesperson said.
The administration could continue with life-saving and other kinds of assistance that are important for US security interests while simultaneously suspending other assistance to the government, including economic and security assistance. Those details are still being ironed out.
But, unlike some allies, the US had been reluctant to formally label the takeover as a “coup,” because it is a legal designation that would require the US to restrict certain forms of foreign aid to Niger – most notably, security assistance funding for Nigerien forces.
The coup designation could result in US funding and support for the Nigerien military being cut off, which the US military has sought to avoid – even as France announced last week that it was pulling all of its troops out of the country by the end of this year. The US has worked to support Nigerien forces for a decade to bolster their fight against terrorists in Africa’s Sahel region, and the US has several bases inside Niger from where it conducts counterterrorism operations
According to the US Embassy in Niamey, since 2012, the Pentagon and State Department “have provided Niger more than $350 million in military assistance equipment and training programs – one of the largest security assistance and training programs in sub-Saharan Africa.”
But US law requires that funds appropriated by Congress for training and equipping a foreign military must be restricted in the event that a “duly elected” country’s leader has been overthrown by that country’s military.
“There has been frustration in Congress with the administration’s lack of communication with the Hill, and the administration’s slow decision-making process,” a person familiar with the discussions said.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in Djibouti last week that the US still has “essentially the same footprint in Niger” as it did before the takeover, and has continued conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions for the purposes of protecting the US forces still stationed there. But, he said, the US has “not resumed any operations with the Nigerien forces.”
The US military mission in Niger is one of the main reasons why the US held off so long on legally declaring the situation a military coup d’etat, instead engaging in extensive diplomacy to try to reverse the Nigerien military takeover, officials previously told CNN. But those diplomatic efforts haven’t been successful, and the military is still in power
“We’ve come very close to say, again, that this is an attempted coup,” Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said on August 15 when asked why the US had not made the legal designation. “I think, by all means, from State Department, from DOD, from other levels of government, we are trying to work through this in a peaceful manner. As you know, Niger is quite a critical partner to us in the region.”
The Secretary of State could issue a waiver to reinstate the military aid once a coup is determined, but only if he decides that it is in the national security interest of the United States and consults with Congress first, according to the Congressional Research Service. Congress for the first-time last year incorporated the waiver into its 2023 omnibus spending bill.
Senior Pentagon officials believe that keeping a presence in Niger is vital to efforts to tackle terrorism in the region and believe that it’s feasible even amid the domestic political turmoil there. Several of the junta leaders have worked with and been trained by the US as part of the US’ security cooperation with the country, current and former officials told CNN, and Nigerien military leaders have not voiced anti-American sentiment or asked the US to leave.
A founding member of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, Chief Ralph Obioha is dead, aged 80.
In a statement by his son, Chima Obioha on behalf of the Obioha family in Enugu, said: “It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Chief Ralph Obioha, “Okpuruisizuruoha II of Arondizuogu announces his passing on October 3, 2026, at the age of 80.
Chief Obioha was first and foremost a beloved father, husband, brother, grandfather and friend. His kindness, strength, humor, generosity, faith, and unwavering devotion to family will always be remembered .
“Many Nigerians knew Chief Obioha as a patriot, elder statesman, political leader and businessman. Indeed, his very eventful life spanned various business sectors and the Nigerian political and socio- economic space.
“He was deeply committed to Nigeria’s progress and the ideals of service, leadership, and nation-building. His was a respected voice in the land, and he was a firm believer in Nigeria’s enormous potential.
“His passing has left an immeasurable void in our family, but we find comfort in the fullness of his life, the people he touched, and the legacy of service he leaves behind.
“The family is deeply grateful for the prayers, condolence messages, and expressions of love that have already been received. We, however, respectfully request privacy at this time while we mourn and come to terms with this profound loss.
“Details of the memorial and funeral will be announced in due course. May his soul rest in complete peace.” the statement added.
Lagos, Nigeria, October 6, 2026: The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has announced the addition of the Lagos, Delta, Imo and Ekiti state governments, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Access Bank Plc and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to the list of partners for its 10th Annual Conference.
The conference begins on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, 38 to 40 Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
The first day will feature a presentation by Max Amuchie, Publisher of Sundiata Post, on “The Sundiata Post Model: Building the African Newsroom for the Long Term.”
This will be followed by a presentation on “AI and Prompt Engineering for Online Publishing” by Biodun Durojaiye, Publisher of The Lagos Times.
The final presentation will be “Monetisation of Digital Media Business” by Dr Monday Ashibogwu, Publisher of Quick News.
The presentations will be followed by lunch with GOCOP partners, while the association’s Annual General Meeting will round off the day.
The second day of the conference, Thursday, October 8, will focus on the theme, “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, will deliver the keynote address, while Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Founding Partner of Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL) and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), will chair the session.
The panel will feature CP Abayomi Shogunle, Commissioner of Police, Election Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Prof Tayo Popoola, Head of Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos; Adaora Onyechere Sydney Jack, Creative Director of Gender Agenda and Founder of WEWE Network Afrique; and Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Deputy President of GOCOP and Chairman of the 2026 Conference Planning Committee, Mr Olumide Iyanda, said preparations had been concluded.
“All is set for our 10th anniversary conference. We are delighted that the Lagos State Government, the Imo State Government, the Delta State Government and the Ekiti State Government, as well as Access Bank, one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, and NASENI, Nigeria’s foremost agency driving indigenous technology and industrial innovation, have joined our long list of sponsors. Their support underscores the importance of the dialogue we are convening,” Iyanda said.
The new partners join those previously announced, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), Nigeria Customs Service, Dangote Group, Seplat Energy, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Bank of Industry (BoI), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), TAJBank, Emadeb Energy, Setraco Nigeria Limited, Sovereign Trust Insurance and Nestlé Nigeria Plc.
Iyanda thanked all sponsors and partners for their support, noting that their contributions would help GOCOP sustain its conference as a platform for engagement on professional journalism, democracy and national development.
GOCOP is a business membership organisation of 127 corporate online publishers in Nigeria. The Annual Conference, now in its 10th edition, brings together media executives, policymakers, academics, business leaders, civil society representatives and other stakeholders to discuss issues of national importance.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has expressed profound condolences to the families of the personnel and passengers who lost their lives following the accident involving Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ATR 42 aircraft, NAF 931, in the Igbokoda area of Ondo State.
The CAS described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation, expressing heartfelt sympathies to the families, loved ones and colleagues of those who lost their lives. He assured the bereaved families of the Service’s full support during this difficult period.
NAF 931 had 25 persons on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers. The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when the accident occurred. Search-and-rescue procedures were immediately activated, with response efforts conducted in coordination with relevant authorities to locate and account for all persons on board. No survivors have been found. The crew members were:
CREW
1. Squadron Leader MI Aburime (Flight Captain)
2. Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje (Co-pilot)
3. Flight Lieutenant IS Bako (Co-pilot)
4. Warrant Officer Abubakar A (Aircraft Technician)
5. Corporal Uguru HC (Aircraft Technician)
PASSENGERS
6. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus
7. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye
8. Flying Officer IM Adeshina
9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F
10. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA
11. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS
12. Flight Sergeant James RB
13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI
14. Sergeant Ani AE
15. Sergeant Izibenikien SI
16. Sergeant Alafuka C
17. Sergeant Mbadugha AN
18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC
19. Lance Corporal Eledan GE
20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka
21. Godstmine Tarabina
22. Joy Micheal
23. Sunday Micheal
24. Ukeme David
25. Gideon Omotola
The CAS has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident. The Nigerian Air Force will continue to provide timely and verified updates as the investigation progresses and urges the public to refrain from speculation and the circulation of unverified information, while respecting the privacy and dignity of the affected families. A condolence register has also been opened at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Abuja, for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies, and other well-wishers who may wish to pay their respects and convey messages of sympathy to the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Air Force.
Ehimen Ejodame
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force
6 October 2026
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