Nigeria receives U.S. C-17 military aircraft as it awaits $346m arms deal

A U.S. Air Force C-17 transport aircraft delivered defense equipment to Nigerian Air Force bases in Lagos and Kainji, Niger State, in September 2026, according to Business Insider Africa.

The delivery comes as Nigeria awaits a $346 million U.S. package of rockets, bombs and precision-guided warheads under a Foreign Military Sales agreement. Documentation from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency shows the package includes 1,002 general-purpose 500lb bombs, over 1,500 Paveway II laser-guidance control groups and 5,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II rockets.

Officials said the sale, made at Nigeria’s request, would boost operations against terrorist groups and illicit trafficking in the Gulf of Guinea, while stressing it would not alter the region’s military balance.