The African Union (AU) has lauded Nigeria for its impressive achievements in counterterrorism coordination and vowed to deepen collaboration among African nations to tackle the growing menace of violent extremism across the continent.
We gathered that the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, made the commendation on Friday night in Abuja during a working visit to the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Adeoye, who led an AU delegation to assess Nigeria’s counterterrorism framework, said the visit was designed to exchange ideas, learn from Nigeria’s experience, and strengthen the AU’s regional mechanisms 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.
The AU envoy described the NCTC as a model institution and reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to naming it a Continental Centre of Excellence for Counterterrorism in West Africa and the Sahel.
He also hailed the professionalism of Nigeria’s security agencies and applauded the leadership of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his role in promoting peace and stability within the region.
Adeoye revealed that the AU Peace and Security Council, working with regional blocs, was intensifying efforts to operationalise the African Standby Force in support of ongoing counterterrorism missions 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,” he said.
He added that terrorism undermines Africa’s growth and contradicts the vision of Agenda 2063, which seeks a peaceful and prosperous continent.
Responding, the National Coordinator of the NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, reaffirmed Nigeria’s determination to work closely with the African Union and regional bodies to enhance peace and security across the continent.
Laka explained that the NCTC, established under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, serves as the central coordinating authority for all counterterrorism and terrorism financing operations in Nigeria.
“Our mandate is to coordinate policy, facilitate intelligence sharing, oversee the implementation of counterterrorism strategies, and promote regional cooperation,” he said.
According to him, the Centre boasts modern forensic, DNA, and cyber intelligence laboratories and adopts a whole-of-government and whole-of-society strategy to build community resilience against extremism.
He recalled that after 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 — a recognition Nigeria continues to uphold through training and international partnerships.
“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.
Laka emphasised Nigeria’s confidence in African-led solutions to the continent’s security challenges, pledging that the NCTC will continue to make its facilities and expertise available to AU member states for training and collaboration.
“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.
