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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has officially introduced Nigeria’s Counter Terrorism Strategic Plan for 2025–2030, a comprehensive roadmap developed by the National Counter Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Speaking at the unveiling in Abuja on Monday, Akpabio emphasized that the event marked more than the presentation of another government document, describing it instead as “a defining moment in the nation’s journey.”
“It is a moment when Nigeria again reaffirms that our people deserve to live without fear, that our children deserve a future of peace, and that our nation must be secured to prosper,” he stated.
According to the Senate President, each generation faces a unique challenge, and Nigeria’s current question is unmistakable: “How do we secure our nation, safeguard our people and set Nigeria irreversibly on the path of peace, growth and stability?”
He said the new Strategic Plan responds to this challenge “with vision, discipline and ambition,” providing a framework to transform institutions, modernize security systems, strengthen resilience, and broaden partnerships across government, the private sector, civil society, and the international community.
Akpabio highlighted the heavy cost of insecurity, noting that it undermines investment, disrupts education, pushes farmers off their land, and robs young Nigerians of hope. He added that this makes a “pragmatic, forward-looking and implementation-driven plan” not only timely but essential.
While acknowledging that security is a shared constitutional duty, he stressed the legislature’s crucial role in providing the legal and financial backbone for security agencies. He noted that the 10th National Assembly has passed significant laws on defence, policing, cybersecurity, intelligence coordination, and counter-terrorism; strengthened agency mandates; improved inter-agency cooperation; and championed better welfare for security personnel.
However, Akpabio cautioned that legislation alone is insufficient: “We must invest in people, technology, training and strategic partnerships. We must replace short-term firefighting with long-term planning.”
He said the Strategic Plan is important because it converts intentions into actionable, measurable outcomes and embraces a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach.
Delivering his message at the event, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, represented by the Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka said the plan is the result of extensive research, inter-agency cooperation, and consultations involving ministries, security agencies, academia, civil society groups, and international partners.
He noted that part of the vision is to position the National Counter Terrorism Centre as a regional hub for excellence in combating terrorism and violent extremism across West Africa and the Sahel.