For years, US military and security equipment supplied to Nigeria has largely been associated with the country's fight against terrorism and insurgency.
That role is now expanding, with American-made technology increasingly being used to protect Nigeria's oil infrastructure and maritime assets.
The latest example is a deal between US-based Textron Systems and Nigerian security company Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited for the supply of Aerosonde Mk 4.7 unmanned aerial systems.
The aircraft will be integrated into Tantita's command-and-control centres to strengthen surveillance, intelligence gathering and maritime security operations around Nigeria's oil and gas infrastructure.
The development comes as Nigeria's oil industry shows signs of recovery after years of production losses linked to crude theft, pipeline vandalism and operational disruptions.
