AU Accredits Nigeria’s NCTC as Regional Counter-Terrorism Centre of Excellence
By Pan Afric Reporters
The African Union (AU) has accredited Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), as a Regional Centre of Excellence in Counter Terrorism, positioning the country as a regional hub for strengthening intelligence sharing, operational coordination and specialised security training across West Africa and the Sahel.
The NCTC disclosed this in a press statement issued on October 28, 2026, and signed by its Head of Strategic Communication, Abu I. Michael, following the announcement of the accreditation at the conclusion of the African Lessons Learned Forum in Abuja on October 27.
The accreditation formalises President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration at the High-Level African Counter Terrorism Meeting in Abuja in April 2024, when he designated the NCTC as a Regional Centre of Excellence for West Africa and the Sahel. The initiative was subsequently reflected in the Abuja Declaration.
Announcing the decision, the Acting Director of the African Union Counter Terrorism Centre (AUCTC), Dr Idriss Mounir Lallali, said the recognition followed a rigorous assessment of the NCTC’s institutional capacity, governance, training programmes, analytical capabilities, coordination mechanisms and commitment to human rights and the rule of law.
“It is therefore my pleasure to announce that the African Union is accrediting the NCTC as an African Union Regional Centre of Excellence in Counter Terrorism,” Lallali said.
He explained that the formal accreditation would be communicated to the Nigerian Government through a Note Verbale from the AU Commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, through the AUCTC.
According to him, the accreditation will initially run for three years and be renewable, with the formal communication outlining the Centre’s regional responsibilities and the commitments of the African Union.
The accreditation process began with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the AU and NCTC in September 2025, followed by a technical assessment mission to Abuja in December of the same year. The assessment produced a roadmap setting out the institutional standards required for accreditation.
Since then, the NCTC has strengthened its governance structures, developed training curricula and operational procedures, enhanced its analytical and coordination functions, and reinforced its commitment to human rights and the rule of law.
Speaking on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the NCTC National Coordinator, Major General Adamu Garba Laka, described the accreditation as both recognition of Nigeria’s progress and a responsibility to contribute more substantially to Africa’s collective security.
“Today marks a proud and consequential moment for Nigeria and Africa as the National Counter Terrorism Centre is formally accredited as an African Union Regional Centre of Excellence in Counter Terrorism,” Ribadu said in remarks delivered through his representative.
He thanked President Tinubu for his leadership, political will and sustained investment in Nigeria’s security architecture, saying the achievement advanced the Renewed Hope Agenda and fulfilled the President’s vision for the Centre to serve Nigeria, West Africa, the Sahel and the wider continent.
Ribadu also commended the AU Commission and AUCTC for their technical support throughout the accreditation process, particularly acknowledging Lallali’s role in the mapping, assessment and accreditation stages. He further praised Laka, NCTC personnel and other security and justice institutions, government agencies, civil society organisations, communities and international partners for their contributions.
The NSA assured that the Federal Government and ONSA would continue supporting the Centre through appropriate staffing, sustainable resources and institutional partnerships to meet the demands of its expanded regional mandate and maintain accreditation standards.
Under its new status, the NCTC is expected to support AU member states through specialised training, joint threat analysis, research, technical assistance, lessons-learned exchanges and enhanced counter-terrorism cooperation, particularly across West Africa and the Sahel.
