Nigeria has reinforced its position as a key pillar of Africa’s security framework by signing a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the African Union on counter-terrorism, the first agreement of its kind between the AU and a member state.
The deal comes on the heels of last week’s Regional Conference on Combating Terrorism and Sustainable Security in the ECOWAS Region and the Sahel, hosted by Nigeria’s Counterterrorism Centre of the Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA).
The high-level summit brought together policymakers, security experts, and international partners to address rising threats of terrorism, insurgency, and organised crime across West Africa and the Sahel.
Nigeria’s Strategic Breakthrough
The conference was widely hailed as a major diplomatic and security milestone, underscoring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s drive for “African solutions to African problems” and Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping continental security dialogue.
Momentum quickly translated into action, with Nigeria and the AU sealing a path-breaking MoU that focuses on intelligence sharing, training, and joint initiatives, creating the foundation for a more coordinated African response to terrorism.
AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, stressed the need to balance security with human rights.
He said; “To fight terrorism effectively, the African Union and its partners are saying clearly that the mainstreaming of human rights is central to the fight against terrorism.”
National Coordinator of Nigeria’s Counterterrorism Centre, Major-General Adamu-Garba Laka, described the agreement as a landmark step in collective resilience.
“This agreement represents shared goals, mutual support, and effective cooperation. By forging a united front against terrorism, we are better equipped to confront this multifaceted challenge and uphold the safety and security of our nations.” he declared.
Nigeria’s Rising Role
For Nigeria, the MoU signals a decisive shift. After years of focusing on its own internal battles against violent extremism, the country is now positioning itself as a continental anchor and a trusted global partner in counterterrorism efforts.
As instability continues to spread across parts of West Africa and the Sahel, Nigeria’s assertive diplomacy and commitment to collaborative security frameworks are drawing recognition and commendation from the international community.
PIAK