Nigeria has called for stronger regional and international cooperation to combat terrorism and violent extremism across Africa, urging coordinated action to tackle the evolving security threat confronting the continent.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the call during the 1354th Virtual Meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council at the ministerial level on countering terrorism and violent extremism in Africa.
She said terrorist groups have become more sophisticated by exploiting emerging technologies, illicit financial networks and natural resources to sustain their operations, stressing that African countries must strengthen intelligence-sharing and operational cooperation.
“The growing sophistication of terrorist organisations urgently demands coordinated, innovative and intelligence-driven responses by African States and the international community,” she said.
The minister said Nigeria has adopted a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy combining military operations with non-kinetic measures, noting that sustained offensives have significantly weakened Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
According to her, the strategy has also disrupted terrorist financing networks, restored government authority in several affected communities and facilitated the rehabilitation and reintegration of former insurgents.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said tackling the root causes of violent extremism remains critical to achieving lasting peace, adding that Nigeria continues to invest in education, infrastructure, youth empowerment and community resilience while engaging traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and young people in preventing radicalisation.
She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional security cooperation through the ECOWAS Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Network and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), describing the force as “a model for regional security cooperation on the continent.”
The minister also endorsed recommendations aimed at strengthening intelligence-sharing, disrupting terrorist financing, enhancing the Continental Early Warning System, improving cybersecurity and developing continental guidelines for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in counter-terrorism efforts.
She, however, cautioned against portraying terrorism as an exclusively African problem.
“Terrorism is a global menace that requires shared international responsibility and collective action,” she said, warning that such narratives expose innocent Africans to discrimination and unfair treatment at international airports and other entry points.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu further urged international partners to prevent the flow of arms, ammunition, drones and other sophisticated technologies to non-state actors while strengthening efforts to combat illicit financial flows and terrorist financing.
She also called for predictable and sustainable funding for African-led peace support operations, advocating the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719 to support eligible African missions, including the Multinational Joint Task Force and the proposed ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Force.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working with African Union member states, regional organisations and international partners to curb terrorism and violent extremism across the continent.
“Only through unity, sustained cooperation and collective resolve can Africa effectively defeat terrorism and violent extremism and build a continent that is peaceful, secure and conducive to sustainable development,” she said.