English | Français | Português
In August 2023, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies Nigeria Alumni Chapter partnered with four U.S. government institutes to host a two-day symposium in Abuja, Nigeria focused on discussing programs and initiatives to counter terrorism (CT) and prevent/counter violent extremism (P/CVE) in Africa, with a special focus on Nigeria. The program, “Challenges and Innovations in Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism: Strategic Approaches,” included the following U.S. partners: the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (Africa Center), the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies (GCMC), the Irregular Warfare Center (IWC), and the College of International Security Affairs (CISA). Attendees included Africa Center faculty and alumni, GCMC faculty and alumni, CISA faculty and alumni, and numerous Nigerian government officials from a variety of agencies.
This pilot “whole of alumni” program aimed to create stronger linkages among the various alumni communities in Nigeria and provide a two-way learning opportunity, connecting West African-based practitioners of CT and P/CVE with U.S. academic experts, so that both communities could share the latest thinking on how best to advance citizen security and regional stability. This collaboration had its seeds in the Africa Center’s Community Chapter Leaders’ Forum in January 2023, when the Africa Center recommitted to conducting programs in partnership with alumni chapters and communities.
The executive committee of the Africa Center Nigeria Alumni Chapter was at the forefront of organizing the August symposium, enlisting the support of the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) and the Nigerian Defence College (NDC). The chapter also garnered a wide range of distinguished speakers for the opening ceremony, including Former Rear Admiral Morakinyo Olotu, Commandant of the NDC; Rear Admiral Yaminu Musa, Coordinator of the NCTC, representing the National Security Adviser, retired AIG Nuhu Ribadu; MG Emmanuel Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence; Air Vice Marshal NV Aguiyi, Chief of Defence Transformation and Innovation, representing the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa; and Dr. Solomon Arase, Chairman of the Police Service Commission
Topics addressed during the two-day symposium included Innovations and Challenges in Countering Violent Extremism in Africa, Lessons Learned from Countering Violent Extremism in the Lake Chad Basin, Institution Building as a Counter-Insurgency Tool—The Case of Colombia, and Good Practices on Community Engagement and Community-Oriented Policing as Tools to Counter Violent Extremism, among others.
Retired Commodore Abimbola Ayuba, President of the Africa Center Nigeria Alumni Chapter, expressed satisfaction with the symposium, noting, “This symposium served as a crucial forum where experts from diverse specializations came together to examine the root causes of insecurity, terrorism, and violent extremism plaguing the regions of West Africa, particularly the Sahel, and the Lake Chad area. Through collaborative discussions and in-depth analysis, the event facilitated a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted issues underlying the challenges faced in these regions. The aim was to not only identify these key issues but also to generate a deeper understanding of their dynamics and implications, ultimately paving the way for more effective strategies and solutions to address the pressing security concerns in these areas.”
The symposium concluded with an outreach networking event generously funded by the Nigeria Africa Center Alumni Chapter and GCMC. This evening event, which brought together individuals from the Africa Center, GCMC, and CISA alumni communities in Nigeria, also benefited from the participation of the NDC Commandant, representatives from the U.S. and German embassies in Nigeria, and high-level Nigerian government officials.
Congratulations to the Africa Center Nigeria Chapter for convening this successful symposium!
We invite you to explore the Africa Center’s Flickr account, where you can view photos capturing the event’s highlights: https://www.flickr.com/photos/africa_center/albums/72177720310824589