In a significant development highlighting the evolving security landscape, the United States government under President Donald Trump has been actively conducting intelligence-gathering surveillance flights over extensive areas of Nigeria. This activity, which began in late November 2025, points to a notable increase in security cooperation between the two nations amidst a complex geopolitical backdrop.
Flight Tracking Data Reveals Operational Details
According to information from flight tracking data and current as well as former U.S. officials reported by Reuters, the surveillance operations have become a consistent feature. The data for December 2025 shows a clear pattern: contractor-operated aircraft used for these missions typically take off from Ghana, fly over Nigerian airspace, and then return to Accra, the Ghanaian capital.
The company behind the flight operations has been identified as Mississippi-based Tenax Aerospace. This operator is known for providing special mission aircraft and maintains a close working relationship with the U.S. military, as stated on its official website. While the precise nature of the intelligence being sought from Nigerian territory remains undetermined, the operational tempo itself is a clear signal of heightened interest.
Context and Potential Implications
This surge in aerial surveillance comes in the wake of former President Donald Trump's previous invasion threat directed at Nigeria, which had stirred considerable diplomatic tension. The current flights, however, are framed within the context of increased security cooperation, suggesting a shift towards collaborative intelligence-sharing rather than unilateral action.
The use of a contractor based out of a third country, Ghana, adds a layer of operational nuance to the missions. For Nigeria, this development underscores the persistent international focus on the nation's internal security challenges and its strategic importance in the region. It also raises questions about the depth and scope of the intelligence partnership with the United States.
What This Means for Nigeria-US Relations
The ongoing surveillance flights represent a tangible, if discreet, element of the bilateral relationship. They indicate a channel of security engagement that continues to function. The key points to note are:
- The operations are ongoing and systematic, starting from late November 2025.
- They are conducted by a known U.S. military contractor, Tenax Aerospace, from a base in Ghana.
- The activity follows a period of strained rhetoric, potentially marking a more pragmatic phase of security dialogue.
As the situation develops, the specific intelligence objectives and the full impact on Nigeria's sovereignty and security planning will be areas of close observation by analysts and policymakers alike.
