POLICY FRAMEWORK AND NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR PREVENTING AND COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Plan · Security
A Plan establishes a framework for preventing and countering violent extremism by coordinating government and community efforts. It targets security agencies, religious leaders, educational institutions, and at-risk youth to build resilience against radicalisation. This aims to prevent terrorism through early intervention and community engagement.
POLICY FRAMEWORK AND NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR PREVENTING AND COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM
What Is This Policy?
Nigeria's whole-of-government and whole-of-society framework for preventing radicalisation, countering violent extremism, and building community resilience against terrorism and insurgency.
Who Does It Target?
Security agencies and law enforcement Religious leaders and community organisations Educational institutions Youth and women at risk of radicalisation Returning fighters and de-radicalised individuals
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Prevent radicalisation to violence through early intervention, education, and community engagement; counter extremist narratives; and create conditions that make communities resilient to violent extremism.
Key Features
Radicalisation Prevention: Identifies and addresses the drivers of radicalisation through education, employment, and social inclusion programmes. Counter-Narrative: Develops and disseminates counter-narratives to extremist ideologies through media, religious leaders, and community influencers. De-Radicalisation: Provides rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for persons who have been radicalised or were involved in extremist activities. Community Resilience: Builds the capacity of communities to identify and report radicalisation warning signs.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active - being implemented through ONSA and relevant MDAs Coverage: Nationwide, with priority in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central zones Beneficiaries: Communities affected by extremism; general public Funding: Federal Government; international security assistance
How to Access
Community organisations may engage through state security agencies Religious leaders: participate in counter-narrative training programmes Application method: Engage the Office of the National Security Adviser or the relevant state security committee.
Important Terms
PCVE must be distinguished from criminalisation of ordinary religious practice Community cooperation is essential and voluntary in most PCVE activities De-radicalisation is linked to accountability for criminal acts where applicable
Official Resources
Website: https://www.ansa.gov.ng Contact: Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA)
Legal Framework
Operates under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, the National Security Strategy, the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST), the Cybercrimes Act 2015, and the Penal Code. Draws on UN Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014) on foreign terrorist fighters, the AU Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism, and the ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Framework.