As two of the tenets of the updated National Counter-Terrorism Strategy 2025, the Federal Government has announced efforts to improve interagency coordination and increase community involvement. Major General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Center, stated during the final validation exercise for the draft strategy in Abuja on Tuesday that the updated framework was intended to enhance cooperation between security agencies and encourage public involvement in preventing and combating terrorism.
"Our whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to counterterrorism is reaffirmed in the review of the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy. It places a strong emphasis on prevention in addition to reaction, improves interagency cooperation, and places community involvement, resilience, and inclusivity at the heart of our security architecture," Laka stated.
He clarified that the review process, which started in February 2025, involved several rounds of stakeholder engagement, including workshops, committee reviews, and engagements with ministries, departments, and agencies, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and foreign partners.
The goal of the validation workshop, according to Laka, was to ensure that the plan was "clear, realistic, and implementable" while taking into account both international standards and national priorities.
"We're here to make sure that every part of the strategy takes into account the changing threats we face and that it's a document that we can all take responsibility for," he continued. Laka expressed gratitude to all parties involved for their commitment and cooperative suggestions, adding that following validation, the plan would move forward with editing and publication.
The whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches are the two fundamental pillars upon which the strategy is based, according to Commodore Ahmad Madawaki, Director of Policy and Strategy, NCTC.
"The whole-of-society, on the other hand, engages communities, civil society organizations, and the private sector in building trust, promoting social cohesion, and countering extremist narratives," he said, adding that "the whole-of-government ensures that our counterterrorism efforts are coordinated, comprehensive, and effective."
To make sure the plan is "inclusive, threat-responsive, and aligned with international best practices," Madawaki stated that the assessment takes into account human rights, gender inclusion, and good practices, with input from UN Women and other stakeholders.
He emphasized the importance of grassroots involvement and the need for all ministries, departments, and organizations to understand their roles in carrying out the strategy after it is released.
"The Center will make sure that state and local governments are actively involved in the review process, especially in the final phases," he stated, acknowledging the significance of grassroots involvement.
"Terrorism is a global phenomenon that requires international cooperation and support," Madawaki added, calling for ongoing international assistance. Your efforts today will have an effect that extends beyond this room's boundaries.