By Nkechi Eze
In a historic display of Nigeria’s growing regional leadership in counter-terrorism, the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the Office of the National Security Adviser, on Monday, June 30, 2025, flagged off a landmark training programme involving four high-level security courses hosted concurrently for the first time in the country’s history.
The opening ceremony, held at the NCTC facility in Abuja, marked the beginning of the Silver and Gold Incident Commanders’ Courses, an Intelligence Analysis Course, and a Train-the-Trainer Aviation Security Course, each designed to strengthen Nigeria’s strategic crisis response, intelligence capabilities, and aviation security infrastructure.
The National Coordinator of the Centre, Major General Adamu Laka, while welcoming participants to the combined opening, on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, mni, described the event as a major milestone in Nigeria’s security evolution.
“This is important to us as the Centre is transitioning to a Regional Centre of Excellence for Counter Terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel as declared by the President and Commander-in-Chief,” he announced.
The National Coordinator emphasised the strategic significance of the trainings, noting that they are being delivered in collaboration with the British High Commission as part of an enduring partnership to build resilient security institutions and promote regional stability. “We deeply value the continued support of our partners, as well as the dedication of participants drawn from various agencies, in advancing our shared goal of a safer Nigeria and region,” he said.
He explained that the Silver and Gold Commanders Courses were a follow-up to the Strategic Commanders’ Course held earlier in February, and would directly support Nigeria’s preparation for the forthcoming Exercise RAPID RESPONSE. “The Gold Incident Commanders Course is specifically designed for those working at the strategic level, while the Silver targets operational command,” he said. “These courses will sharpen our ability to respond to crises effectively.”
On the intelligence front, the Intelligence Analysis Course is aimed at equipping security personnel with essential skills in identifying threats, understanding intelligence assessment, and recognising patterns that support strategic decision-making. “Our goal is to build a robust intelligence analysis capability that supports decision-making at the strategic level,” he stated.
Also speaking on the aviation dimension, he revealed that the Train-the-Trainer Aviation Security Course is tailored to develop homegrown expertise capable of delivering training specific to Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem. “This will enhance our aviation security and contribute to a safer aviation environment,” he added.
Representing the United Kingdom at the opening, Lieutenant Colonel Ian Tyler, who leads the visiting British team, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate with Nigeria. “This partnership is strong, and it’s essential for addressing shared security threats,” he affirmed. “We’ve brought in experts with decades of experience in policing and security to deliver the Gold and Silver Command, as well as intelligence analysis.”
He encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity by fully engaging with the instructors. “There’s no such thing as a silly or stupid question. If you don’t know, ask. This is a two-way process,” he stressed. “These instructors are experts in their fields, lean on that knowledge and experience.”
Lt. Col. Tyler expressed optimism that the training would significantly enhance Nigeria’s operational output and help combat the evolving threats posed by terrorism. “Together, we can increase Nigeria’s operational effectiveness and better address the threats facing not just Nigeria, but the entire region,” he said.
The National Coordinator concluded by urging participants to remain engaged throughout the course. “The knowledge and networks we build here today will strengthen our individual capacities and fortify the collective security architecture of our region,” he said. “The friendships and professional bonds you establish during this training will serve as invaluable assets in our shared mission to combat terrorism and violent extremism.”
With attendees drawn from various Nigerian security and law enforcement agencies, the multi-course training is expected to serve as a launchpad for a new era of inter-agency synergy, professionalism, and regional cooperation in combating complex security threats.
