By Bavoriat Clara
The Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, has commended Nigeria’s leadership in counterterrorism coordination and its contributions to regional peace and stability.
He made the commendation during a visit to the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Abuja, on Friday, 7 November 2025, where he led a delegation of African Union Ambassadors and experts from the AU Peace and Security Sub-Committee.
Welcoming the delegation, the National Coordinator of the NCTC, Major General Adamu Laka, on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, mni, expressed delight at hosting the AU delegation and highlighted Nigeria’s steady progress in strengthening counterterrorism coordination and deepening regional partnerships.
Major General Laka lauded Ambassador Adeoye for his exemplary leadership, noting that under his guidance, the African Union Sub-Committee on Peace and Security successfully hosted a two-day capacity-building workshop in Abuja from 4 to 5 November 2025.
He explained that the NCTC was established under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 to serve as Nigeria’s lead coordinating body for all counterterrorism and terrorism financing efforts. The Centre, he said, brings together relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to facilitate intelligence sharing, oversee the implementation of counterterrorism strategies, and promote regional cooperation in addressing violent extremism.
The National Coordinator further disclosed that the Centre had adopted a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, engaging communities, traditional and religious leaders, academia, the media, and civil society in building resilience against radicalisation. He also noted that Nigeria’s Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism was currently under review to enhance national response mechanisms.
Highlighting the Centre’s capabilities, Major General Laka stated that its facilities include state-of-the-art forensic and DNA laboratories, cyber intelligence and data analysis platforms, and modern command and coordination systems that provide the technical foundation for counterterrorism operations.
He recalled that Nigeria hosted the Africa Counter Terrorism Summit in April 2024, which culminated in the Abuja Declaration, recognizing the NCTC as a Regional Centre of Excellence for Counter Terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel. Building on that momentum, he said, the NCTC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the African Union Commission in September 2025 to enhance cooperation on training, intelligence sharing, and joint research.
Major General Laka also cited ongoing collaborations with institutions such as the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Ghana, the International Counter Terrorism Academy in Côte d’Ivoire, and the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding in Egypt — partnerships aimed at strengthening regional resilience against terrorism.
On institutional reforms, he revealed that under the guidance of the National Security Adviser, Nigeria had secured 775 terrorism-related convictions across eight trial phases, demonstrating the government’s commitment to justice and accountability.
He announced plans to launch the NCTC Strategic Plan 2025–2030, alongside revised versions of the National Counter Terrorism Strategy and the Policy Framework for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, which will shape Nigeria’s future counterterrorism architecture.
He assured the AU delegation that the Centre remains open to all African Union member states, offering its training, technical, and knowledge resources to promote collaboration and intelligence sharing across the continent.
In his response, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye praised Nigeria’s sustained leadership in regional security, describing the NCTC as a model of excellence for Africa. He emphasized that the AU’s visit aimed to learn from Nigeria’s experiences and share insights to strengthen continental coordination through the African Union Counterterrorism Centre.
Ambassador Adeoye expressed optimism that the NCTC could evolve into a Continental Centre of Excellence under the AU framework, serving all five regions of Africa. He also commended the dedication of the NCTC’s directors and staff after touring the Centre’s facilities, including its advanced forensic laboratories.
Reaffirming the AU’s commitment to collective security, he declared, “Terrorists cannot and will not take over our continent. Our collective defense must rest on common security, anchored on the African Common Defense and Security Policy.”
He further stressed the need for inclusive security and sustainable peace, urging all stakeholders — governments, civil society, communities, and international partners — to unite in the fight against terrorism. According to him, terrorism undermines Africa’s development and runs counter to the ideals of Agenda 2063, which envisions a peaceful and prosperous continent.
The AU Commissioner acknowledged the strong partnership between the AU and Nigeria, especially through joint efforts on the Continental Plan of Action on Counterterrorism, and reiterated that the fight against terrorism is a collective African struggle.
He disclosed that the AU Peace and Security Council and regional economic communities were working to operationalize the African Standby Force for regional counterterrorism operations. He added that the AU would begin another round of lesson-learning sessions aimed at comparing peace enforcement and peace support operations to improve the continent’s security frameworks.
Ambassador Adeoye concluded by commending Nigeria’s hospitality and leadership, reaffirming that until every inch of African soil is secure, the continent must remain resolute in confronting the forces that threaten its peace and development.
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