The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s counterterrorism architecture through a coordinated and inclusive approach.
This was as stakeholders from across the public sector, civil society, and international community gathered in Abuja on Tuesday for the Second National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) Stakeholders’ Meeting.
The meeting, convened by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), marks a critical phase in the ongoing review of Nigeria’s national counterterrorism strategy amid an evolving and complex threat landscape.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, Major General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), emphasized the importance of unity, collaboration, and inclusivity in tackling terrorism and violent extremism.
Laka expressed appreciation for their sustained commitment to Nigeria’s counterterrorism mission, especially in contributing to the review of the NACTEST document.
“Today’s meeting is at a pivotal juncture in our efforts to review the National Counter Terrorism Strategy.
“The threat landscape continues to evolve in complexity and scale. Our responses, therefore, must be equally adaptive, collaborative, and forward-looking,” he said.
The revised strategy, he revealed, is being anchored on two foundational pillars: the Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approaches.
The Whole-of-Government approach, he noted, calls for seamless inter-agency coordination, with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) expected to improve intelligence sharing and leverage their collective expertise.
“It is only through this kind of unity that we can effectively identify vulnerabilities, disrupt terrorist networks, and prevent attacks before they occur,” he stated.
On the other hand, the Whole-of-Society approach recognises terrorism not just as a security issue but as a social and ideological challenge that requires grassroots engagement.
The Coordinator stressed the importance of involving communities, civil society organizations, religious and traditional leaders, and the private sector to build trust, strengthen cohesion, and counter extremist ideologies.
He further disclosed that the first draft of the revised National Counter Terrorism Strategy has been completed, describing it as a significant milestone made possible through the concerted efforts of all stakeholders.
“I urge all stakeholders represented here today to carefully review the draft strategy, provide constructive feedback, and take responsibility for implementing the recommendations within your mandates,” he said.
The meeting follows the inaugural session held on February 25, 2025, and comes at a time when Nigeria continues to face a dynamic array of security threats, including insurgency, banditry, and emerging forms of radicalisation.
Reiterating the FG’s unwavering commitment to national security, the National Coordinator assured participants that the National Counter-Terrorism Centre remains dedicated to coordinating and supporting Nigeria’s multi-stakeholder counter-terrorism efforts.
He thanked participants for their continued partnership and urged them to remain resolute in their shared mission to protect Nigeria from terrorism and violent extremism.
“Let us work together in service to this noble cause,” he said.
