Nigeria has called on the African Union (AU) and its member states to strengthen efforts to combat illicit financial flows that continue to fund terrorism and violent extremism across the continent.
The call was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, during the 1354th Ministerial Meeting of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union, held virtually on Tuesday.
In the meeting which was chaired by Uganda’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Haruna Kasolo, in his capacity as Chairperson of the African Union Peace and Security Council for July 2026.
Addressing the council, the minister described illicit financing as one of the greatest enablers of terrorism in Africa, stressing that terrorist organisations rely on such funds to recruit vulnerable youths, acquire sophisticated weapons and sustain their operations.
She urged the Peace and Security Council to promote stronger international cooperation in preventing, tracing, recovering and repatriating proceeds of illicit financial flows from safe havens to their countries of origin.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu observed that terrorist groups across Africa have become increasingly resilient, adapting to conventional military operations by deploying commercially available technologies, including drones and advanced digital platforms. She noted that these groups also generate revenue through kidnapping for ransom and the illegal exploitation of precious minerals in territories under their control.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s condemnation of terrorism and violent extremism in all forms, the minister expressed solidarity with victims of terrorist attacks across the continent and commended the sacrifices of African security personnel who continue to confront the growing threat.
She warned that the worsening security situation in parts of West Africa has been exploited by military juntas to justify unconstitutional changes of government, undermining democratic governance in the region.
The minister called for the full implementation of commitments made during the 2022 Malabo Extraordinary Summit on Counter-Terrorism and the High-Level African Counter-Terrorism Meeting hosted by Nigeria in Abuja in 2024, stressing that Africa must move beyond declarations to concrete action.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also cautioned against portraying Africa as the global epicentre of terrorism, warning that such narratives could result in the profiling and unfair treatment of innocent Africans at international airports and other destinations.
Highlighting Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy, she said the country has adopted a comprehensive approach that combines military operations with non-kinetic measures aimed at addressing the root causes of extremism.
According to her, sustained security operations have significantly weakened the operational capabilities of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), while restoring government authority in several affected communities.
She added that Nigeria is intensifying efforts to dismantle terrorist financing networks while implementing programmes for the deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant former combatants. The government is also investing in education, critical infrastructure, youth empowerment and community resilience, with traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youths playing active roles in countering extremist ideologies.
The minister further reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation, noting that the country continues to work closely with neighbouring states through the ECOWAS Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategy, intelligence-sharing mechanisms, strengthened border security and coordinated responses to emerging threats.
She described the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) as a successful continental model for regional cooperation against terrorism.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also endorsed stronger intelligence-sharing among AU member states, enhanced cybersecurity, disruption of terrorist financing networks, improvement of the Continental Early Warning System and the development of ethical guidelines for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in preventing and combating terrorism.
She called on international partners to demonstrate zero tolerance for terrorism by preventing non-state actors from acquiring arms, ammunition, drones, dual-use technologies and other sophisticated weapons manufactured within their territories.
The minister urged greater global commitment to curbing the illicit trade and proliferation of weapons that continue to fuel terrorist activities across Africa.
