The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) has held a high-level consultative meeting with private sector stakeholders to strengthen collaboration between government and businesses in tackling violent extremism across Nigeria.
The dialogue, which took place in Abuja on Friday, brought together chief executive officers (CEOs), investors, traditional leaders, and civil society representatives.
Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, emphasized the critical role of the private sector in safeguarding national security. He noted that terrorism today is “complex, transnational, and technologically advanced,” affecting financial systems, energy infrastructure, digital platforms, and supply chains.
Laka described the meeting as historic, being the first formal platform uniting CEOs, investors, traditional leaders, and civil society under one roof to institutionalize cooperation against violent extremism.
He further revealed that Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Strategy, first launched in 2014, is undergoing review and will be relaunched in October by President Bola Tinubu. Alongside this, the NCTC is finalizing a 2025–2030 Strategic Plan aimed at consolidating Nigeria’s role as the Regional Centre of Excellence for Counterterrorism in West Africa and the Sahel.
“The success of these frameworks depends on genuine engagement with stakeholders, especially the private sector. Without your active participation, implementation will remain incomplete,” Laka said.
In his goodwill message, TAJBank Managing Director, Mr. Hamid Joda, highlighted how terrorism directly impacts businesses. He explained that insecurity has forced companies to halt expansion plans in certain regions, depriving communities of much-needed jobs.
Joda also shared an incident where a potential foreign investor withdrew from Nigeria after learning of a terrorist attack during business discussions, underscoring how insecurity undermines investor confidence.
Similarly, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, stressed the need to integrate gender perspectives into Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy. She noted that women and girls are disproportionately affected by violent extremism, often facing abductions, sexual violence, and displacement.
Eyong urged stakeholders to align counterterrorism initiatives with Nigeria’s forthcoming Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, stressing that sustainable peace requires women’s inclusion in decision-making processes.
Also speaking, the President of the Professional Insurance Ladies Association, Mrs. Abimbola Onakomaiya, pointed out that violent extremism not only disrupts communities but also damages business operations and long-term prosperity. She assured that Nigeria’s insurance industry is ready to support counterterrorism efforts through financial protection, youth engagement, and community resilience.
“Without peace, businesses cannot thrive, and without growth, young people remain vulnerable to extremist recruitment,” she noted.
The consultative dialogue is expected to generate concrete recommendations for integrating private sector input into Nigeria’s counterterrorism frameworks. It will also establish a coordination mechanism with the NCTC and develop a roadmap for sustained partnership.