Akpabio Unveils Nigeria’s Five-Year Counter-Terrorism Strategy

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Monday formally unveiled Nigeria’s Counter-Terrorism Strategic Plan 2025–2030, developed by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

In his keynote address, Akpabio described the launch as a defining moment for the nation, emphasizing the need for a secure environment where citizens can live without fear and children can enjoy a peaceful future.

“Every generation faces a fundamental question. Ours is clear: How do we secure our nation, safeguard our people, and place Nigeria on an irreversible path of peace, growth, and stability?” he asked.

According to Akpabio, the plan provides a framework for institutional transformation, modernization of the security architecture, and enhanced national resilience, while expanding partnerships across government, industry, civil society, and the international community.

He noted that insecurity undermines development, deterring investors, closing schools, forcing farmers off their lands, and eroding the hope of young Nigerians. The Senate President described the plan as pragmatic, forward-looking, and focused on implementation.

“The legislature has a constitutional responsibility to provide legal, budgetary, and oversight support to security institutions,” Akpabio added, highlighting that the 10th National Assembly has enacted extensive laws on defence, policing, intelligence coordination, cybersecurity, and counter-terrorism.

However, he emphasized that legislation alone is insufficient, noting the importance of investments in personnel, technology, training, and partnerships. “We must move from short-term firefighting to long-term planning. This strategic plan translates intent into action and action into measurable results,” he said.

Akpabio explained that the plan adopts a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach, recognizing that security is a shared responsibility among citizens, communities, institutions, and international partners.

In his remarks, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Adamu Laka, coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, said the plan was developed through extensive research, inter-agency collaboration, and consultations with government ministries, security institutions, academia, civil society, and international partners.

The vision, he added, is to position the National Counter-Terrorism Centre as a regional centre of excellence in counter-terrorism and the prevention of violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel.