Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Peace and Security in Africa

Nigeria has reaffirmed its strong commitment to peace, stability, and collective security across the African continent. This was underscored today when the National Counterterrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), hosted a “Capacity Building Workshop and Preparatory Meeting for the Retreat of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) Committee of Experts of the African Union (AU)” in Abuja. Representing the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Coordinator of NCTC, Major General Adamu Garba Laka, described the event as a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s leadership in fostering regional cooperation against terrorism, violent extremism, and other security challenges confronting Africa.

According to the statement signed by Abu I. Michael, Head of Strategic Communication, NCTC-ONSA, Major General Laka highlighted that the continent faces complex and evolving threats such as terrorism, transnational organised crime, and instability driven by governance and socio-economic pressures. He emphasised that no country can overcome these challenges in isolation, stressing Nigeria’s commitment to regional intelligence sharing and capacity building. The statement further noted the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NCTC and the African Union Commission in September 2025 to strengthen counterterrorism initiatives in West Africa and the Sahel—an agreement described as a “significant milestone” in advancing the AU’s Peace and Security Architecture.

General Laka reaffirmed the Federal Government’s dedication, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, to combating terrorism and promoting peace across Africa. He said the workshop provides a platform for experts to consolidate strategies and enhance institutional capacities ahead of the forthcoming AU PSC Retreat. Chairperson of the PSC Committee of Experts, Dr. Jean Djeunkeng, and Head of the PSC Secretariat, Neema Chusi, commended Nigeria and the NCTC for their leadership role and expressed optimism that the upcoming 17th PSC Retreat would yield actionable strategies toward achieving a more peaceful and secure Africa.