By Victoria Ojeme

In a region grappling with multiple security challenges, West African nations are increasingly recognising that military might alone cannot stem the tide of violent extremism.

This shift in thinking was evident at a recent graduation ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria, where security personnel from six West African nations completed specialised training in countering violent extremism, marking a significant step toward a more nuanced approach to regional security.

The Sahel region and West Africa have witnessed a dramatic surge in violent extremism over the past decade. From Boko Haram’s insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin to jihadist movements in Mali and Burkina Faso, the threat has evolved beyond traditional military responses. According to the United Nations, the region has seen a significant increase in terrorist attacks since 2015, causing massive displacement and challenging state authority across borders.

“Violent extremism is a complex, multifaceted problem that requires equally nuanced and adaptable solutions,” Matthew Alao, Team Lead for the Governance, Peace, and Security Unit at UNDP Nigeria said. This reflects a growing recognition among regional leaders that conventional military responses, while necessary, are insufficient to address the root causes of extremism.

The recent training programme at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) brought together 32 participants from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Guinea Bissau, Togo, and Liberia. This diverse group underwent two weeks of rigorous training focused on non-kinetic approaches to countering violent extremism – a marked departure from traditional military-centric peacekeeping training.

Lt.-Col. Thomas Nimele from the Armed Forces of Liberia, one of the programme’s participants, said, “The training gave me insight into the drivers that cause violent extremism and how to use non-kinetic measures to win the war.”

The training programme’s emphasis on addressing root causes reflects a deeper understanding of what drives extremism in West Africa. Poverty, unemployment, lack of education, and weak governance have created fertile ground for extremist ideologies to take root. Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, the General Officer Commanding of Nigeria’s 81 Division, emphasised the importance of “support to education, community engagements and creating economic opportunities” as crucial elements in countering violent extremism.

This holistic approach aligns with recent research from the UNDP and other international organisations, which shows that economic factors and lack of opportunity often play a more significant role in recruitment to extremist groups than religious ideology alone. In Nigeria’s northeast, for instance, studies have shown that many young people join Boko Haram due to economic desperation rather than religious conviction.

The programme’s success highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing regional security challenges. Supported by the Government of Japan through the UNDP, the training initiative demonstrates how external partnerships can strengthen regional capacity to address security challenges.

“The strategic partnership between the Centre and the Government of Japan through the UNDP serves as beacon of international cooperation which needs to be sustained,” noted Major General Mijinyawa. This collaboration model could prove crucial as West African nations work to develop more effective responses to violent extremism.

The UNDP’s Matthew Alao reiterated that graduates of the programme are now “architects of resilient communities and advocates for social justice.” Also, Maj. Felix Adongo from the Ghana Army reflected this new mindset saying “It is important that we tackle this menace from this angle by identifying and getting to the root causes of the extremists ideas and agenda,” rather than defaulting to force as a solution.

As West Africa continues to face security challenges, the graduation of these 32 peacekeepers trained in comprehensive approaches to countering violent extremism represents a promising step forward. However, significant challenges remain. The region continues to grapple with limited resources, porous borders, and complex socio-economic issues that contribute to extremism.

The success of this new approach will depend on sustained commitment from national governments, continued international support, and the ability to implement these strategies effectively at the community level. As Alao reminded the graduates, “Our struggle is not the struggle of a day or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime.”