Federal government has unveiled a new national counter-terrorism strategy aimed at strengthening security and improving coordination among the country’s defence and intelligence agencies over the next five years.
The 2025–2030 plan, presented in Abuja by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, was developed by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Akpabio described the unveiling as a “defining moment” for Nigeria.
“This is more than a policy document,” he said. “It is a reaffirmation that Nigerians deserve to live without fear, that our children deserve a peaceful future, and that a secure nation is essential for prosperity.”
Akpabio warned that insecurity has weakened key sectors, forcing investors to pull back, disrupting farming activities and causing schools to close in affected areas. He argued that the new plan offers a long-term approach that replaces “short-term firefighting” with strategic, measurable action.
He added that the 10th National Assembly has passed several laws covering defence, policing, intelligence coordination, cybersecurity and counter-terrorism. These measures, he said, are intended to strengthen security agencies and promote better cooperation across institutions.
However, he noted that legislation alone cannot guarantee national security.
“We must invest in people, technology, training and partnerships,” he said. “Security is a shared responsibility.”
According to Akpabio, the strategy follows a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society model, encouraging collaboration between citizens, government bodies, private organisations and international partners.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Adamu Laka coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre said the strategy was produced through extensive consultations with government ministries, security agencies, academics, civil society organisations and global partners.
The long-term goal, he said, is to transform the National Counter-Terrorism Centre into a regional hub for counter-terrorism research, training and cooperation across West Africa and the Sahel.
The announcement comes at a time when Nigeria continues to face attacks from insurgent groups, bandits and other extremist elements, with many communities still recovering from years of violence. The government hopes the new strategy will mark a turning point in the country’s fight against terrorism.