The African Union (AU) Commission and Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) have formalised a partnership to enhance cooperation in combating terrorism and violent extremism across the continent.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in Abuja on Monday, was endorsed by Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and Major General Adamu Garba Laka, National Coordinator of the NCTC.
Speaking at the ceremony, Adeoye praised Nigeria’s leadership role in West Africa and the Sahel, highlighting the country’s advanced counterterrorism infrastructure and expertise. He described the NCTC as a model institution whose state-of-the-art facilities have set a benchmark for regional and continental security.
“The AU is proud to formalise this partnership with Nigeria, a key anchor state in the fight against terrorism,” Adeoye said.
In his remarks, Laka noted that the agreement underscores Nigeria’s commitment to the Abuja Process Declaration of April 2024 and reflects its determination to strengthen regional collaboration. He stressed that the partnership will help harmonise strategies, enhance capacity, and reinforce collective efforts toward peace and stability in Africa.
The MoU will be jointly implemented by the AU Counterterrorism Centre (AUCTC) and Nigeria’s NCTC. Key areas of cooperation include intelligence sharing, exchange of experts, collaborative research, support for victims of terrorism, as well as deradicalisation and reintegration programmes.
The agreement will also reinforce AU-backed initiatives such as the Nouakchott Process, the Accra Initiative, the G5 Sahel Joint Force, and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). A Joint Working Group will oversee its implementation.