In a bid to enhance national security and counter violent extremism more effectively, the Federal Government has announced plans to review Nigeria’s Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE).
This move aims to strengthen its effectiveness and ensure long-term sustainability.
The National Coordinator of the Counter-Terrorism Centre at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ consultative meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
The session focused on evaluating the framework, which has been in place since 2017.
Highlighting the need to institutionalize successes from various PCVE projects, Laka emphasized that the review would integrate best practices into a more resilient and impactful strategy.
“As we initiate this review process, it is essential to document and institutionalize the achievements of past PCVE initiatives,” Laka stated. “These experiences offer valuable insights and serve as proof of what has been effective. A revised framework will enable us to incorporate these best practices, ensuring greater resilience and impact.”
Despite notable progress since the framework’s adoption, challenges persist, necessitating a more adaptable and inclusive strategy.
According to Laka, Nigeria’s multi-sectoral approach—incorporating government agencies, civil society, and international partners—has led to meaningful interventions at various levels.
However, the evolving nature of violent extremism demands a more strategic and adaptive policy.
“Collaboration across sectors has yielded positive results, but gaps remain. The need for a more robust and inclusive framework is now more evident than ever,” he added.
Laka reaffirmed ONSA’s commitment to strengthening PCVE efforts through improved coordination, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven decision-making. “Moving forward, our goal is to institutionalize PCVE strategies through enhanced collaboration, coordination, and effective change management,” he said. “This aligns with our vision for NCTC-ONSA to emerge as a regional Centre of Excellence in preventing and countering violent extremism.”
The Director of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism at NCTC, Mairo Abbas, also underscored the importance of involving key stakeholders in the review process.
“This meeting allows us to assess the successes, gaps, and challenges of the current framework,” she noted. “By building on what has worked and addressing shortcomings, we can ensure a comprehensive and responsive approach to countering violent extremism.”
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Abbas further pointed out that various pilot projects had shown promising results, reinforcing the need for their integration into the revised strategy for continuity, scalability, and sustainability.
“The updated framework must enhance the coordination role of NCTC-ONSA, ensuring that all interventions are aligned and complement each other effectively,” she concluded.
With the review process set to commence, stakeholders are optimistic that a refined strategy will bolster Nigeria’s efforts in countering violent extremism, ensuring a safer and more secure nation.