By Emmanuel Obisue
Nigeria reaffirmed its strong commitment to promoting peace, stability, and collective security across Africa as the National Counterterrorism Centre, NCTC, Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, on Tuesday, 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.
Speaking on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Coordinator, NCTC, Major General Adamu Laka, described the event as “a privilege and a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s strong commitment to continental peace, stability, and collective security under the framework of the African Union”.
He noted that Africa continues to face evolving and complex security threats such as terrorism, violent extremism, and transnational organised crime, which require coordinated and sustainable regional responses. According to him, “Nigeria recognises that no country can overcome these challenges in isolation. This is why we continue to advocate and invest in regional cooperation, intelligence sharing, and capacity building as cornerstones of our collective security”.
General Laka highlighted the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU signed in September this year between the NCTC and the African Union Commission on Strengthening Counterterrorism Initiatives in the West Africa and Sahel Region, describing it as a significant milestone that provides a framework for collaboration in capacity building and information sharing.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, to the fight against terrorism and the advancement of peace and stability across the continent, noting that Nigeria continues to contribute meaningfully to the AU’s vision of a peaceful and secure Africa in line with Agenda 2063 and the Silencing the Guns initiative.
The workshop, which brought together peace and security experts from across Africa, aims to strengthen institutional capacities, harmonise strategies, and review progress ahead of the forthcoming AU PSC Retreat.
In their remarks, the Chairperson of the PSC Committee of Experts, Dr. Jean Djeunkeng, and the Head of the PSC Secretariat, Neema Chusi, commended Nigeria’s leadership in counterterrorism and expressed optimism that the outcomes of the meeting would foster stronger collaboration and lasting peace across the continent.
