Security stakeholders in Nigeria have converged on Abuja to discuss the implementation of the country's Policy Framework and National Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism. The consultative forum, convened by the National Counter Terrorism Centre, aims to bridge the gap between national policy frameworks and subnational realities. Jaye Gaskia, Chairman of PAVE Network, notes that the engagement builds on over a year of pilot programmes aimed at closing the gap between national policies and local realities.
The forum has identified several key areas of focus, including the need for states to define their priorities, develop tailored action plans, and establish coordination systems that work within their contexts. Technical Working Groups, already operational in several states, are playing a critical role by bringing together government agencies, civil society actors, and community stakeholders under unified implementation structures. The Policy Framework and National Action Plan, originally developed in 2017 and revised in 2025, has been strengthened to reflect emerging threats and evolving security dynamics.
Implementation is guided by six core pillars, including institutionalisation and mainstreaming of PCVE, access to justice, community capacity building, strategic communication, research and learning, and gender mainstreaming. The focus now is on implementation, with a emphasis on stronger ownership at the state level to ensure the framework delivers measurable impact.
The National Counter Terrorism Centre's efforts to localise counter-extremism plans are a welcome step, but it's imperative that state governments take ownership of these initiatives. The creation of dedicated budgetary provisions and the formal institutionalisation of Technical Working Groups as State Coordination Committees are crucial to bridging the gap between federal and state actors. With the threat of violent extremism becoming increasingly localised, adaptive responses are needed to address the underlying drivers of this menace. The success of this drive will ultimately depend on sustained funding, political will, and coordinated execution across all tiers of government. Nigerians expect tangible results from these efforts, and it's time for state governments to step up and deliver.
