The United States has requested permission to establish a drone refuelling station in Nigeria as part of expanding security cooperation between both countries, according to security and diplomatic sources.
The proposed facility would support U.S. surveillance and strike-capable drones currently operating out of Accra, Ghana, from where the United States conducts intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions over parts of Nigerian territory.
Sources familiar with the discussions say talks are at an advanced stage, with a state in Nigeria’s North East identified as the preferred host location. Earlier proposals to site the facility in Lagos or Abuja were reportedly ruled out due to political and security sensitivities.
Although U.S. officials have not publicly confirmed the specific aircraft involved, defence analysts say the operations are likely to involve the MQ-9 Reaper, a long-endurance drone commonly used by the U.S. military for ISR and precision strike missions. The platform typically operates on JP-8 or similar aviation fuels.
The North East was selected, sources say, because it already hosts Nigerian drone operations and supporting military infrastructure, making it more suitable for discreet integration into existing security frameworks.
If approved, the refuelling station would allow U.S. drones to operate more efficiently from Ghana while extending flight time and operational reach into Nigerian airspace. The facility would also enhance coordination on intelligence sharing and operational planning with Nigerian security forces, particularly in counter-terrorism operations.
Neither the Nigerian government nor the U.S. Embassy in Abuja has issued an official statement on the request.