Washington is seeking approval to establish a drone refueling facility in Nigeria as part of expanding military cooperation between the two nations, according to emerging reports.
The proposed station would support US unmanned aircraft currently operating from Accra, Ghana, where American forces conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions over Nigerian airspace. While officials have not confirmed specific aircraft types, the MQ-9 Reaper—powered by Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engines using JP-8 fuel—is the likely platform.
Negotiations are reportedly nearing completion, with a location in Nigeria’s Northeast region identified as the preferred site. US officials initially suggested Lagos or Abuja, but both were rejected due to political considerations and security concerns. The Northeast was chosen partly because it already serves as a base for Nigeria’s domestic drone operations and has existing infrastructure in place.
If finalized, the refueling station would extend the operational range of US drones flying from Ghana, enabling closer coordination with Nigerian military forces on intelligence sharing and joint planning efforts.
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