The Federal Government is in the final stages of completing the National Counterterrorism Strategy (NACTEST) 2025, a comprehensive framework designed to combat terrorism through prevention, detection, and response, while addressing the root causes of violent extremism.
Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), made this known in Abuja during the final validation exercise of the draft strategy. He described the development as a “significant milestone” following months of rigorous reviews, consultations, and refinements.
According to Laka, the strategy will guide Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations for years to come, with a focus on national unity, inclusivity, and resilience.
“This workshop is not just about reviewing a document—it is about endorsing a shared vision that will shape our security efforts in the face of evolving threats. Experts from multiple sectors have contributed to ensure the plan is clear, realistic, and in line with global best practices,” he said.
The coordinator noted that the framework adopts a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, embedding prevention, interagency collaboration, and community engagement into Nigeria’s national security architecture. He encouraged participants to close any remaining gaps before final approval.
In his remarks, Commodore Ahmad Madawaki, NCTC’s Director of Policy and Strategy, explained that the revised plan rests on two key pillars:
- Whole-of-government approach – ensuring coordination, comprehensive action, and effectiveness across ministries, departments, and agencies.
- Whole-of-society approach – engaging communities, civil society organisations, and the private sector to build trust, foster social cohesion, and counter extremist narratives.
Madawaki added that the updated strategy integrates counterterrorism with the prevention and countering of violent extremism, aligns with legal and international standards, and will be ratified by all critical stakeholders before its official release.
“Terrorism is a global challenge that demands global solutions. We value the technical and financial support from our international partners, which will help strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism capabilities,” he said.