National, Regional Synergy Vital to Ending Terrorism Financing – NDC Commandant
Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), has asserted that dismantling the clandestine financial networks fuelling extremism requires a unified front across national and regional borders.
Speaking on Monday at the inauguration of the Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) and Regional Security Course One, Rear Admiral Ahmed emphasized that West Africa and the Sahel region’s deep geopolitical, economic, and cultural inter-connectivity makes synergy among stakeholders an absolute necessity.
Cutting Off the Lifeblood of Insurgency
The Commandant noted that research consistently identifies financing as the most resilient enabler of global terrorism. These “clandestine networks,” he explained, are what allow extremist groups to manage recruitment, logistics, and large-scale expansion. “Countering the Financing of Terrorism is not merely a financial or legal obligation,” Rear Admiral Ahmed stated. “It is a vital component of a broader national and regional security strategy.”
From ‘Whole-of-Government’ to ‘Whole-of-Society’
In a strategic shift, this year’s course has expanded its participant list to include professionals from both the public and private financial sectors. Rear Admiral Ahmed argued that the traditional “whole-of-government” approach is no longer sufficient to guarantee peace. Instead, he advocated for a “whole-of-society” approach, where every citizen and private entity acts as a stakeholder in the security architecture. “Bringing together experts across various specializations… reflects the College’s commitment to providing strategic-level training and research that responds directly to pressing security challenges,” he added.
Strengthening Inter-Agency Cooperation
The course, organized by the NDC’s Centre for Strategic Research and Studies (CSRS), aims to exploit regional ties to develop robust strategies that leave no room for terrorist vulnerabilities.
Earlier in the ceremony, the Provost of the CSRS, Professor Adam Ahmed, urged participants to prioritize the exchange of ideas. He noted that building lasting professional relationships is the cornerstone of effective inter-agency cooperation—a factor he described as critical to the success of any CFT operation.
The course marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen global counter-terrorism frameworks and secure the African continent against the evolving threat of extremist financing.
