President Bola Tinubu will in October unveil Nigeria’s updated National Counter-Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST), following a comprehensive review aimed at strengthening the nation’s response to evolving security threats.
The National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, revealed this on Tuesday during the third-quarter stakeholders’ meeting of NACTEST in Abuja.
He noted that the revised document has been finalised and submitted to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for approval ahead of its official launch.
“I am pleased to report that the review process has now reached a decisive milestone. The revised draft National Counter Terrorism Strategy, which incorporates all feedback received during the validation exercise, has been finalised and forwarded to the National Security Adviser for approval.
“The final step will be to secure a suitable date for His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, to officially launch the revised National Counter Terrorism Strategy.
“This launch will mark the culmination of our collective efforts and the beginning of a new phase in our national counterterrorism expedition,” Laka stated.
He explained that the review, initiated in February 2025, was necessitated by the evolving nature of terrorism, including shifting tactics, the use of new technologies, and the exploitation of social and economic vulnerabilities.
According to him, the revised strategy was enriched through consultations, workshops, validation sessions, and technical reviews that brought together government institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations, academia, the private sector, and international partners.
“The true measure of success lies in its faithful implementation, and we all have a role to play as defined in the strategy.
“The Strategy can only succeed if we collectively own it and translate its provisions into practical, coordinated actions across the five work streams: Prevent, Protect, Identify, Prepare, and Implement,” Laka added.
He noted that Nigeria’s leadership in counter-terrorism within West Africa and the Sahel places an additional responsibility on the country to demonstrate innovation and coordination in combating violent extremism.
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Laka said, “As the National Counter Terrorism Centre consolidates its position as a Regional Centre of Excellence for Counterterrorism in West Africa and the Sahel, the implementation of National Counter Terrorism Strategy takes on an even greater significance.
“Nigeria is being looked upon for leadership, coordination, and innovation in addressing terrorism and violent extremism in the region, especially leveraging our experience over the years.
”The revised National Counter Terrorism Strategy therefore provides us with a roadmap for securing our Nation and as a model across the subregion. Thus, its success has implications far beyond our borders.”
The NCTC Director of Policy and Strategy, Commodore Ahmad Madawaki, explained that the revised document was developed through an inclusive process, engaging ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as civil society, the private sector, traditional and religious leaders, and international partners.
“Hopefully, the next invite you will get from us is the formal launch of the revised strategy sometime in October by Mr President. After that, we can sit again as stakeholders to work on the implementation plan for the NACTEST, ” he added.
He noted that the Centre adopted both the “Whole of Government” and “Whole of Society” approaches championed by the President to ensure the new strategy is comprehensive, community-driven, and in line with international best practices.
“Hopefully, the next invite you will get from us is the formal launch of the revised strategy sometime in October by Mr President,” he said, stressing that the document will serve as a guide for coordinated counter-terrorism actions across the country.