African Union Designates Nigeria’s Counter-Terrorism Centre as Regional Hub for West Africa

The African Union (AU) has conferred accreditation upon Nigeria's National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), positioning it as a Regional Centre of Excellence in Counter Terrorism for West Africa and the Sahel. This significant development reflects President Bola Tinubu's ambition, articulated at the High-Level African Counter Terrorism Meeting held in Abuja in April 2024, to transform the NCTC into a central hub for intelligence sharing and operational coordination in the fight against terrorism.

In a statement released on Thursday by Abu Michael, the Head of Strategic Communication at the NCTC, the accreditation marks a watershed moment in Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing collective security across Africa. The recognition allows the NCTC to play a crucial role in supporting AU member states, particularly those in West Africa and the Sahel, through improved counter-terrorism cooperation and institutional capacity development.

As part of its expanded mandate, the NCTC will provide specialized training, conduct joint threat analyses, and offer technical assistance to member states. This initiative aims to strengthen the region's ability to respond to the challenges posed by terrorism and violent extremism, fostering a spirit of collaboration and exchange of best practices among nations.

“This accreditation is a testament to Nigeria's leadership role in addressing security challenges in the region,” stated the Acting Director of the African Union Counter Terrorism Centre, Dr. Idriss Mounir Lallali, during the announcement on October 27, 2026.

With this new status, the NCTC is poised to enhance its operational capabilities, ensuring that it effectively addresses the evolving threats posed by extremist groups, while contributing to the broader goals of peace and security within the African continent.