By Sumaila Ogbaje
The African Union (AU) has commended Nigeria’s strides in counterterrorism coordination and pledged deeper continental collaboration to curb the rising threat of violent extremism across Africa.
The AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Bankole Adeoye, gave the commendation on Friday night in Abuja.
He led an AU delegation on a working visit to the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), to assess Nigeria’s counterterrorism architecture.
He said the visit aimed to share knowledge, draw lessons from Nigeria’s experience, and strengthen the AU’s continental framework for combating terrorism.
“Our goal is to learn and to share lessons that can inform the work of the African Union Counterterrorism Centre.
“Nigeria’s model demonstrates the value of collective security and inter-agency cooperation,” he said.
AU envoy described the NCTC as a model institution and reiterated the AU’s commitment to designating it as a Continental Centre of Excellence for counterterrorism in West Africa and the Sahel.
He praised the professionalism of Nigerian security agencies and the leadership of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for championing regional peace and stability.
He added that the AU’s Peace and Security Council, together with regional bodies, was operationalising the African Standby Force to support ongoing counterterrorism operations across the continent.
“Terrorists cannot take over our continent, and we cannot afford to cede any inch of space to them.
“The African Common Defence and Security Policy preaches collective responsibility — protecting our people and silencing the guns.
“No one can define Africa’s identity through terror,” Adeoye said. “Terrorism undermines our development trajectory and goes against the spirit of Agenda 2063 our vision for a peaceful and prosperous continent,” he said.
In his remarks, the National Coordinator, NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to strengthen partnership with the African Union and regional institutions in advancing peace and security.
Laka explained that the NCTC, established under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, serves as the lead coordinating body for all counterterrorism and terrorism financing efforts in the country.
“Our mandate is to coordinate policy, facilitate intelligence sharing, oversee the implementation of counterterrorism strategies, and promote regional cooperation,” he said.
Laka disclosed that the centre operates state-of-the-art forensic, DNA, and cyber intelligence laboratories, and has adopted a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to build community resilience against violent extremism.
He noted that following the African Counterterrorism Summit hosted by Nigeria in April 2024, the AU recognised the NCTC as a Regional Centre of Excellence for Counterterrorism in West Africa and the Sahel.
This, according to him, is a recognition that Nigeria is sustaining through capacity building and international collaboration.
“Nigeria has secured 725 terrorism-related convictions, underscoring its commitment to the rule of law and the fight against impunity.
“We are finalising the NCTC Strategic Plan 2025–2030 and revising the National Counterterrorism Strategy to align with emerging threats,” he said.
NCTC boss reaffirmed Nigeria’s belief in African-led solutions to African security challenges, pledging that the NCTC’s training facilities and expertise remain open to AU member states for cooperation and capacity building.
“No nation is safe until every nation in our region is secure,” he said. “Together, we can build a safer and more resilient Africa,” he concluded. (NAN)