Nigeria has commenced a crucial two-day National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) Workshop aimed at reviewing and updating the country’s core policy document guiding counterterrorism efforts.
The event, which opened at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja, was convened on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, mni.
Delivering the opening remarks, the National Coordinator of the Centre, Major General Adamu Laka welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of the workshop in aligning the national strategy with evolving security challenges.
He noted that the existing NACTEST, introduced in 2016, had served the country well but required an urgent review due to the dynamic nature of global and local terrorism threats.
“Given the evolving tactics of terrorist organizations and lessons learned over the years, this review is both necessary and timely,” he said.
Major General Laka further disclosed that a consolidated draft of the revised strategy has been developed through months of rigorous work and inclusive consultations with stakeholders across Ministries, Departments, Agencies, civil society groups, and international partners.
The National Coordinator also highlighted that the review comes at a pivotal moment in the Centre’s growth, as it transitions into a Regional Centre of Excellence for Counterterrorism in West Africa and the Sahel, following a declaration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. This elevation, he noted, reinforces Nigeria’s leadership and commitment to promoting regional security and necessitates a counterterrorism strategy that can serve as a model for other countries in the region.
In line with this expanded regional mandate, the Centre is currently hosting four simultaneous capacity-building courses, including Silver Commanders, Gold Commanders, Intelligence Analysis, and Train-the-Trainer Aviation Security Courses, all conducted in collaboration with the British Council.
The Coordinator extended appreciation to the British Council and other international partners, including the EU-UN Global Terrorism Threats Facility, for their steadfast support and expert contributions to the revised strategy.
The workshop is structured to encourage broad participation and ownership. Day 1 will focus on presentations and collective review of the draft document, while Day 2 will feature breakout sessions to delve into thematic areas and generate actionable recommendations.
He urged participants to remain committed to the two foundational pillars of Nigeria’s counterterrorism framework — the Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approaches — stressing that counterterrorism is not solely a security issue, but also a societal challenge that requires collaboration across all sectors.
The workshop, which brings together representatives from security services, MDAs, civil society, and development partners, is expected to produce a revised national strategy aligned with both Nigeria’s security priorities and international best practices.
LV